HONG KONG, Oct. 19 -- Two men remain in critical condition following a fire that tore through scaffolding at Chinachem Tower on Connaught Road in Central, Hong Kong yesterday, authorities said.

The Standard reported that the 23-year-old man, surnamed Ngai, and 55-year-old man, surnamed Lam, were rushed to hospital suffering from breathing difficulties after being overcome by smoke.

Two other people - 65-year-old Chung and 35-year-old Yeung - sustained injuries but are in stable condition.

One of the injured was trapped in a lift during the blaze, while another man suffered head injuries, the Hong Kong-based English daily added.

Fire crews received the alert at 4.24pm and arrived four minutes later to find the building's exterior encas...