ISTANBUL 

At least four people, including a firefighter, died while three others were injured in Hong Kong on Wednesday when a major fire broke out at a housing estate.

Two of the injured are in critical condition, while the third is stable, according to the fire department, the Hong Kong Free Press reported.

Flames quickly spread across bamboo scaffolding at the estate to at least three blocks of it in the Tai Po neighborhood in the afternoon, according to the South China Morning Post.

The estate, called Wang Fuk Court, has eight blocks and more than 1,900 flats.

Earlier, the fire department raised the fire alarm to the second-highest level, No. 4.

Several other people were reported to be trapped.

Photos and videos circulating on social media showed thick smoke billowing into the sky as fire engulfed a building and firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.

Rescue operations are continuing.