Hong Kong nabs suspects as fire toll hits 151

HONG KONG, Dec 01 (AFP): Authorities said Monday they have made a total 13 arrests over Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades after the blaze killed 151 people last week, a toll that could further rise.

The arrests were made on suspicion of manslaughter as investigators work to piece together what led to the catastrophic fire taking hold so fast in a complex of high-rise apartments.

Officials have been looking at factors including the styrofoam panels and bamboo scaffolding use in a renovation project at the site.

Officials also announced Monday that some of the exterior netting used on scaffolding at the housing estate did not meet fire-resistance standards.

Police representative Tsang Shuk-yin on Monday told a news conference that as of 4 pm (0800 GMT) the fire killed 151 people, up from Sunday's toll of 146.

"We cannot rule out the possibility of this number increasing further," Tsang said.

The blaze that engulfed Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's northern Tai Po district was the world's deadliest residential building fire since 1980. Police have completed searches in five of the estate's eight high-rise blocks.