Fire breaks out in Hong Kong World Trade Centre, nearly 150 people trapped

Rescue workers evacuate people from the site after a fire broke out at the World Trade centre in Hong Kong, China.(REUTERS)

About 150 people were trapped atop the rooftop of Hong Kong's World Trade Centre after a fire broke out.

The blaze started to rip through the 39-storey skyscraper, which houses both offices and a mall in the commercial and shopping district of Causeway Bay, early on wednesday afternoon.

The fire was first reported at 12:37 p.m. and was upgraded to a level-three incident on a scale of five about half an hour later, according to a government statement. Twelve people felt unwell and were sent to hospital.

The building is owned by Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

Authorities said the fire was brought under control by 3.06 p.m.local time (7.06 am GMT)