Residents of Wang Fuk Court apartments had raised concerns about flammable foam panels and scaffold netting, but the government did not take decisive action.

Sonia Parris, 30, who was brought to the U.S. from Mexico at 2 months old, was detained after being arrested in Clay County on November 17, her ex-husband Dalton Parris told Newsweek. Dalton, 34, said Sonia’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status had lapsed in recent years, leaving her without valid identification.

Some 1,000 police were mobilised in the search for survivors that spanned two days after the massive fire started at Wang Fuk Court housing complex.

Dozens of residents were feared trapped on upper floors of the towers as firefighters brought the blaze "largely under control" on Thursday.

Firefighters in Hong Kong have been battling a deadly blaze at a high-rise apartment complex for a second day.