A devastating fire tore through a large housing complex in the northern Hong Kong neighborhood of Tai Po on Wednesday, leaving at least 36 people dead and 279 people reported missing.

President Xi Jinping extended condolences over the fire at Wang Fuk Court and expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and those affected by the disaster.

He urged all-out efforts to extinguish the fire and minimize casualties and losses, the Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday evening.

The SAR government activated its emergency rescue mechanism, and rescue operations were underway.

After visiting the injured at Prince of Wales Hospital at night, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the blaze has so far caused 36 deaths, with 279 people reported missing. Twenty-nine people remain hospitalized, seven of whom are in critical condition.

Among the dead was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho.

Lee expressed his deep condolences to the deceased, and extended his heartfelt sympathies to the victims' families and the injured. He said the SAR government will provide all possible support.

Many residents were reported to be trapped at their homes, with seven out of the total eight buildings of the estate on fire, high flames engulfing bamboo scaffolding and large columns of smoke billowing from the burning buildings.

Originating at 2:51 pm, the blaze was upgraded to the No 4 alarm at 3:34 pm, only to be elevated to a No 5 fire, the most serious level in the city, at 6:22 pm.

The fire continued well into the night, with burning objects falling and explosives and sparkles strewn at the scene.

READ MORE: Fire in Tai Po

Nine people died at the scene, while four others were pronounced dead after they were rushed to hospitals. One of the dead victims was identified as a 37-year-old firefighter named Ho Wai-ho.

The injured ones were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Of them, six were learnt to be in serious condition.

The Fire Services Department dispatched 760 personnel to tackle the situation. Two firefighters were learnt to be injured.

Wang Fuk Court, which is under renovation, is a housing complex made up of eight blocks, providing close to 2,000 residential units.

Seven 32-story buildings, which all have bamboo scaffolding erected for renovation, were all on fire, spanning a size of 27 meters plus 21 meters, according to the department.

The conditions were extremely hazardous, with debris falling continuously, and the number of distress calls increasing, necessitating raising of the fire alert level to a No 5, the department told the media during an on-site briefing.

The last time Hong Kong recorded a No 5 alarm fire was in 2008, when four people were killed, and 55 were injured at Cornwall Court in Mong Kok.

In a social media post, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed the deepest sorrow over the deaths and injuries of people, including the firefighter who died in the line of duty, and extended condolences to their families.

Lee said he had immediately activated the Emergency Monitoring and Support Center, received reports from the Security Bureau and the Fire Services Department, and directed the departments to ensure all efforts were made in firefighting, rescue, and treatment operations.

All government departments are fully assisting residents affected by the fire, he said. The Home Affairs Department, the District Office, and the Social Welfare Department have set up assistance stations on site, arranged for affected individuals to stay in temporary shelters, and are providing support and emotional counselling to the families of the deceased and injured.

The government has opened five temporary shelters to accommodate affected residents. The CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School remains open to provide shelter for evacuated residents.

The Tai Po District Office also set up an assistance station at the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital to provide support and answer inquiries. Residents can contact the assistance station hotline at 2658-4040.

The district office said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and open more temporary shelters should the need arise.

China Daily reporters found several hundred people gathering at the temporary shelters, where bread, water, and biscuits were being distributed. A process for registering missing persons was also underway.

A resident surnamed Chan living on the sixth floor of one of the affected buildings said he noticed smoke around 2 pm and left home immediately with his family.

"The most important thing is that we saved our lives. I've heard that some people living on the 20th floor and above couldn't get out. I also currently can't get in touch with some friends and neighbors from the same estate."

Another resident, surnamed Yau, whose unit was directly affected, was out when the fire broke out and returned home at around 4:30 pm after being notified.

"Definitely, there is loss. I don't even want to talk about it," he said when asked about property damage. "The only silver lining is that my wife and I had gone out, so no one was at home. If money was burned, so be it. It's not just me; everyone is feeling helpless in this situation."

For the evening, the Yau family is considering staying at the nearby Sheng Kung Hui Yuen Chen Malin Chen Primary School. "I feel it might be a bit cold there," he added.

A 75-year-old woman surnamed Ho was at her residence on the 28th floor of one of the burning buildings when the fire broke out. She left the building hastily with her 82-year-old husband after a friend living across the street called her to alert her about the fire.

The pair, who are on medicines for their health conditions, didn't have their medicines in hand. They thought they would be gone for a short while only and didn't expect the fire to escalate so quickly. Ho had to stay nearby as her husband refused to leave, despite coaches and shelters were provided to help residents to evacuate.

In a statement, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said he was saddened by the death of the fireman and expressed sympathies to the family members of others who died in the fire and wished the injured people a speedy recovery.

Tang said the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre has begun operating since Wednesday afternoon to coordinate efforts across departments to respond to and manage the impact of the fire.

While the Fire Services Department is doing its utmost to put out the fire, Tang said, the Security Bureau and its departments as well as other relevant departments, also extended their full support and provided assistance to those affected.

The Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung expressed profound sadness at the passing of a fireman in the deadly blaze. Ho, 37, was attached to the Sha Tin Fire Station. He was found collapsed at the site of the fire.

"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," Yeung said, vowing utmost support and assistance for Ho's family.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com

With Xinhua inputs