Hong Kong Police have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter in relation to the apartment complex fire in Tai Po, according to a police spokesman.
Police will hold a press conference shortly to give further details.
What may have exacerbated the blaze?
Firefighters respond to a fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images
The exact cause that led the fire to spread so quickly will be the subject of a probe to be carried out by a Hong Kong Police task force, but firefighters have already warned of a peculiarity.
Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung said that during the rescue, his crew had spotted some polystyrene boards blocking windows of multiple apartments.
“These polystyrene boards are extremely inflammable and the fire spread very rapidly,” he said.
“Their presence was unusual so we have referred the incident to the police for further enquiries,” Yeung added.
Meanwhile, the city’s housing authorities would be looking into whether protective layers used to cover the residential buildings during their refurbishment were sufficiently fire proof, according to Hong Kong leader John Lee.
“We will hold those accountable in accordance with the laws and regulations,” he said.
Bamboo scaffolding used to encase buildings in Hong Kong that have been cited as possible cause of fires in the past may also be a factor in Wednesday’s blaze.