HONG KONG -- Twelve people were hospitalized after a major fire broke out inside the World Trade Center in Hong Kong at around noon on Wednesday, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said.

The fire started at the shopping center and office tower complex in Wan Chai district at 12:37 pm local time and was upgraded to the third highest alarm level at 1:03 pm, before being surrounded at 3:05 pm local time.

Firemen are using two jets and mobilizing two breathing apparatus teams to fight the blaze.

Twelve people felt unwell and were sent to hospitals for treatment.