Death toll up to 75 after flats inferno

THE DEATH toll from a deadly fire that broke out at a residential apartment complex in Hong Kong has risen to 75, authorities said.

- CHAN HO-HIM AND HUIZHONG WU

Firefighters battled one of the deadliest modern blazes in the city's history for a second day yesterday, fighting to control the fire which blackened several high-rise towers.

Three men from a construction company have been arrested, and rescues were continuing.

Thick smoke continued to pour out of the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po district, a northern suburb near the border with the mainland, yesterday.

The fire, which started on Wednesday had spread across seven of the complex's eight buildings, and four of the towers were under control by morning, the city's fire services said.

One firefighter was among the 75 people confirmed dead, officials said. At least 70 people were injured.

Three men, the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

"We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent," said Eileen Chung, a senior superintendent of police.