Hong Kong is grappling with its most devastating fire in nearly three decades, as flames continue to smolder in multiple apartment towers at Wang Fuk Court in Taipo. The blaze, which erupted on Wednesday, has claimed at least 55 lives and left dozens injured, with approximately 900 of the 4,800 residents evacuated to temporary shelters. Seven of the eight 32-story towers in the complex were engulfed in flames after construction materials and bamboo scaffolding caught fire. Extreme heat and high winds have severely hampered rescue efforts, making it the deadliest fire since 1996, when 41 people perished in a Kowloon commercial building fire. Authorities have arrested three individuals, including directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., on suspicion of manslaughter. Investigations suggest that some materials, such as plastic foam panels, may not have met fire resistance standards. The buildings, constructed in the 1980s, lack modern fire safety features like smoke detectors and sprinkler systems, raising concerns about housing safety standards in Hong Kong. Chief Executive John Lee has announced the formation of a task force to investigate the disaster and inspect all housing estates undergoing major repairs. Survivors are receiving support in temporary shelters, with 17 of the 62 hospitalized victims in critical condition.