New Delhi, Nov. 26 -- A catastrophic fire tore through multiple high-rise towers of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people and leaving an unknown number trapped, authorities said. The blaze, fueled by bamboo scaffolding wrapped around several buildings under renovation, sent flames and thick black smoke towering into the night sky.

The fire began around 2:50 p.m., and the Fire Services Department upgraded it to a No. 5 alarm - the city's highest classification - shortly after 6:20 p.m.

More than 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances were deployed as hundreds of firefighters battled dangerous conditions, including falling debris, collapsing scaffolding and extreme heat insid...