At least 13 dead while others remain trapped after major blaze engulfs multiple Hong Kong buildings

At least 13 people have been confirmed to have died after fire swept through multiple high rise buildings in Hong Kong.

The devastating blaze has engulfed tower blocks at Wang Fuk Court, with footage showing at least five tower blocks on fire.

Authorities have confirmed that one of the people who has died is a firefighter.

At present 15 people have also been confirmed as having been injured, and three people are understood to be in a critical condition after suffering burns.

Fire officials have said they do not have data on how many people are inside the buildings, including people who may have become trapped by the fire, which started at around 2.51pm local time on 26 November.

While a precise cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, it is believed that it may have spread across bamboo scaffolding which was in place on the buildings.

The complex is home to around 4,600 people (Yan ZHAO / AFP via Getty Images)

There is an enormous emergency response at the seen, with some 700 firefighters understood to have been deployed in an effort to bring the flames under control.

Authorities have named firefighter Ho Wai-ho, 37, who died at Prince of Wales Hospital after being found collapsed at the scene.

Hong Kong director of fire services Andy Yeung said: "Having been a member of the Fire Services Department for about nine years, Mr Ho's performance was valiant. I am profoundly grieved at the loss of this dedicated and gallant fireman.

"All of our colleagues are deeply saddened by the loss of such a devoted comrade. On behalf of all our colleagues, I have offered the deepest condolences to his family."

Tai Po District Councillor Mui Siu-fung told the BBC that more than 1,000 residents have been evacuated from the area in the north of Hong Kong to a shelter.

Around 700 firefighters have been deployed (Yan ZHAO / AFP via Getty Images)

Among them is Harry Cheung, who told Reuters he has lived in block two at Wang Fuk Court for over 40 years.

Harry said that he heard 'a very loud noise' at about 6.45am GMT, or 2.45pm local time.

"I immediately went back to pack up my things," he said, adding: "I don't even know how I feel right now. I'm just thinking about where I'm going to sleep tonight because I probably won't be able to go back home."

According to its website, Wang Fuk Court has been occupied since 1983.

It is a housing complex which comes under a government scheme for subsidised home ownership, and is home to about 4,600 people.