44 dead, 279 missing in Hong Kong apartment block fire

44 people have been killed in a major fire engulfing apartment blocks in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, with 279 people unaccounted for.

According to BBC News, three people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter: two are directors of a construction firm, and one is an engineering consultant.

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, police say polystyrene boards were found blocking windows at the site, which was undergoing renovations, and this may have allowed the fire to spread more quickly.

Authorities say the fire is under control in four of the eight buildings, and the fire department expects it to take the entire day to contain the blaze.

Hundreds of residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters, and emergency housing units are being allocated to those in need of relocation.

The Hong Kong fire department has classified the blaze as a level five alarm, which is the most severe level. It has been 17 years since a level five fire last hit Hong Kong.