A devastating fire swept through several high-rise apartment buildings in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and leaving 279 missing. The blaze, which began around 2:51 p.m. local time, quickly spread through the 31-story towers, reportedly fueled by bamboo scaffolding and construction materials surrounding the buildings. More than 800 firefighters were deployed to battle the five-alarm fire, the city’s most severe in 17 years. One firefighter was among the dead, and several others were injured while attempting to control the flames. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as many residents remain trapped inside. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the fire is now largely under control, though investigations into its cause are ongoing. The Wang Fuk Court complex, built in 1983 and undergoing renovation, contains about 2,000 residential units across eight blocks.