Fire in Hong Kong - More than 300 people trapped on the roof of the World Trade Center by flames - DailyNationToday

More than 300 people are trapped by a massive fire on the roof of the World Trade Center in Hong Kong.

Trapped people are waiting to be rescued after a fire broke out at a 38-story skyscraper.

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The eight injured, aged between 31 and 72, were taken to hospital.

No deaths have been reported as rescue operations continued after the inferno broke out at 12:37 local time.

Seven of the eight injured suffered asphyxiation, with one woman, 52 years old, with a leg injury.

At least 300 people, including diners at a top-floor restaurant and shoppers, ran to the roof as smoke billowed inside the building.

By 2 p.m. local time, firefighters had rescued 160 people from an outdoor area on the 5th floor.

At least 1,000 people have now been evacuated from the building, ShanghaiEye reported.

Others were trapped in malls in restaurants, the South China Morning Post reported.

Hong Kong police said a fire broke out in the engine room before the scaffolding caught fire.

Office worker Ernest Chan, 28, was evacuated to the roof, but went downstairs to escape.

I said the South China Morning Post: “We were initially walking down but around the 17th floor we heard thick smoke, so we decided to go up to the roof instead.

“But we waited too long and the view seemed clear, so we walked down again.

“If we don’t make this call, we’ll still be waiting upstairs.”

The World Trade Center is currently under renovation.

Today’s fire is classified as a level 3 incident, with 5 of the heaviest fires.

The fire at the 38-story World Trade Center on Gloucester Street was first reported at 12:37pm.

Firefighters are battling the blaze with two water cannons and breathing apparatus.

The crews also deployed an expandable ladder to rescue those trapped on the lower floors.

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