Australia–Hong Kong Link spokesperson Jane Poon says the diaspora community watched the blaze in real time with growing fear.

"Soon after the fire broke out, our community groups were already talking about it," she said.

"As the fire grew bigger, everyone became very worried. The whole building was on fire in no time.

"I can say that last night, many Hong Kong people living in Australia couldn't sleep."

In a statement, Australia–Hong Kong Link called for unity and support among Hongkongers worldwide.

The group urged authorities to ensure transparency and accountability, saying the victims "deserve a fully transparent explanation".

It's difficult to describe in text just how intense these fires would have been last night — and why firefighters were unable to even enter some of the burning buildings, let alone make their way up to the higher levels.

Here are some more images from Associated Press photographer Chan Long Hei that probably do a better job at getting that point across than any others I've seen.

 Hong Kong's diaspora are also looking on in shock and grief at the deadly fires in their home city.

Raymond Cheung is a former firefighter from Hong Kong who now lives in Heidelberg in Melbourne.

He knows firsthand how challenging the disaster is for his former colleagues.

"They're trying their very best to work in the toughest situation," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"It's so tough with high temperatures, poor ventilation, and they have to carry so much equipment.

"They're still doing a very hardworking and industrious job, so it's time to pray for them, and to support them as well."

That these buildings look like any normal Hong Kong high-rise is one of the most affecting things for Raymond and other people looking on in Hong Kong and abroad.

"They're very sad, they're very depressed, they just cry looking at the news," he said.

"This kind of building is quite common and typical ... Hong Kong is just a concrete jungle made up of a lot of tall buildings. 

"It's heart breaking."

We've had quite a few questions about Tai Po, where the fires took place. To give us a better sense of the area we asked ABC journalist Mary Lloyd, who used to live there.

Tai Po is a residential district in the north of Hong Kong. It was once a fishing village, but over the past few decades hundreds of thousands of flats were built in densely-packed estates. The area is surrounded by country park and is served by the train line that connects the central districts of Hong Kong with the border of mainland China.

When I lived there, it was a popular spot for people from the city to visit as the starting point for local hikes.

High-rise residential estates in Tai Po, like elsewhere in the territory, can comprise dozens of 20 to 30 storey towers. They typically feature as many as eight residences to a floor, with a central elevator shaft serving each block.

Hong Kong Police Force have tweeted they will set up a restricted flying zone above and around  the Wang Fuk Court blaze.

The restricted flying zone will be in place from 8am on November 27 to 8am on November 30 at 8am (local time).

Hong Kong residents have built an app designed to help people track reports of missing relatives inside the Wang Fuk Court high-rises.

Users can submit information on a linked Google document, which is then displayed on a spreadsheet covering towers, floors and individual rooms.

The rooms' status can be set by users to "SOS" or "Safety", depending on whether the residents are accounted for.

Most of the red SOS reports can be found in the Thailand and Chang tower listings, also known as buildings E and F.

Comments can also be attached to the submissions, with some describing the residents in the hope they will be recognised among the injured or other survivors.

One submission currently reads: "Two elderly women of medium build (the 97-year-old grandmother requires a wheelchair to get around)."

The Xinhua news agency is reporting Chinese President Xi Jinping has been briefed on the situation and has instructed central authorities to support Hong Kong’s rescue, medical care and recovery efforts.

He also conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and fallen firefighter Ho Wai-ho.

The Chinese government’s Liaison Office for Hong Kong has set up a special task group to coordinate and assist with the operation.

China correspondent Allyson Horn is in Beijing, China and spoke to News Breakfast earlier this morning.

You can watch the full video of here:

Hong Kong’s Education Bureau says several schools in Tai Po — including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools — will close on Thursday due to the fire, as well as widespread traffic disruptions.

The bureau added that any school affected by the situation can temporarily close as long as it follows the required procedures.