Hong Kong firefighters battle high-rise blaze in popular shopping district

Firefighters have been battling a huge blaze at a high-rise building in a popular shopping area of Hong Kong.

The inferno broke out on a construction site at a redevelopment of The Mariners' Club in the Tsim Sha Tsui district, setting alight multiple floors of the structure.

Debris could be seen falling from the block in the densely populated area.

No casualties have been reported after the fire erupted at 11pm local time on Thursday (3pm GMT).

The Empire Group's redevelopment plan had been to build a 42-storey landmark building which would include the club and a new hotel.

The Hong Kong site is surrounded by other hotels, a shopping centre and residential properties.

Police said four other adjacent buildings also caught fire, but were later put out.

Some residents in a building close to the scene were evacuated, but officials have not revealed how many people were moved.

Tsim Sha Tsui is a tourist destination in Hong Kong and major shopping district, famed for its skyscrapers and views over Victoria Harbour.