Two firemen and an elderly women died and dozens more were injured when a blaze in a Hong Kong nightclub spread through a high-rise block of flats Sunday, the dpa reported.
The firemen were found dead on the 12th floor of the block in the city's densely-populated Mongkok district, a fire services spokesman said. A woman resident aged 77 also died.
More than 200 firefighters were involved in the rescue operation which included evacuating the building when the fire broke out soon after 9 am Sunday.
Dense smoke billowed through narrow corridors, making the rescue hazardous and leading to smoke-related injuries for dozens of residents. At least 57 people needed hospital treatment.
An investigation was under way into the cause of the fire, which was put out at around 3 pm Sunday, but the cause was not believed to be suspicious, the fire services spokesman said.
Hong Kong's security security Ambrose Lee expressed sorrow over the death of the two firemen and said assistance would be given to their families.