The massive blaze at a high-rise housing estate killed at least 159 people, including 10 domestic helpers, highlighting the critical role they play in the Chinese territory.

For many, it was already too late. Within hours, seven of the eight towers in Wang Fuk Court were ablaze. The inferno raged for nearly two days, burning victims beyond recognition in their apartments. Lee said on Tuesday that 30 people are still missing.

Hong Kong has set up an independent committee to investigate a deadly fire that burned seven apartment buildings and killed at least 151 people.

Hong Kong’s national-security office summoned representatives of news organizations including The Wall Street Journal to find fault with coverage of the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court and warn against reporting that would undermine Hong Kong or its authorities.

Homeowners at the complex destroyed in one of Hong Kong's deadliest fires were incorrectly told the contractor that authorities blame for the blaze had a clean safety record, documents viewed by Reuters show.

The death toll of Hong Kong’s high-rise apartment blaze rose to 159 on Wednesday, as authorities arrested six people on suspicion of deactivating some fire alarms during maintenance work at the housing complex.