Hong Kong Officials Investigating Fatal Complex Fire

The blaze started on the lower-level netting around one building in the Wang Fuk Court complex.

Hong Kong officials are investigating a deadly fire that resulted in the death of at least 151 people.

On Wednesday, the blaze started on the lower-level netting around one building in the Wang Fuk Court complex. It rapidly spread engulfing seven of the eight apartment towers. The inferno was not fully extinguished until Friday.

The death toll could rise as many people remain uncounted for. As officials work to determine the cause, initial tests of the netting showed it was up to code, but investigators collected 20 samples from all areas, finding seven failed safety standards, suggesting contractors skimped to make greater profits failing to meet fire-safety codes.

Around 4,600 people lived in the complex and among those dead include residents and firefighters. As of Monday, 683 residents have found places in local hotels and hostels, and another 1,144 moved into transitional housing units. Two emergency shelters remained open for others.