Authorities in Hong Kong announced the death of 44 people as a result of a fire that broke out in a residential complex in the Tai Po area north of the city.The Fire Services Department said in a press conference on Thursday that the death toll had risen from 36 to 44. Meanwhile, the police said in a brief statement that they had arrested three men suspected of involvement in manslaughter related to the fire.The fire broke out in bamboo scaffolding on several buildings within the Wang Fuk Court complex before the flames spread to other parts of the buildings. Thick columns of smoke were seen rising from at least five of the eight buildings, while ash drifted through the air.