The five-alarm fire at Hong Fu Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, resulted in multiple casualties and injuries, among whom was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho who died heroically in the line of duty. On the morning of the 27th, officers from the Fire Services Department’s Welfare and Psychological Services Teams accompanied the family members of the fallen firefighter to the Fu Shan Mortuary for body identification. It is understood that more than 20 other victims from the fire have also had their remains transferred to the Fu Shan Mortuary in Sha Tin, where police are gradually arranging identification procedures for their families.
Fire Services Department Director Yeung Yan-kin stated on the night of the 26th that firefighter Ho Wai-ho had served in the department for nine years, stationed at the Sha Tin Fire Station as a ‘quick attack’ team member. During the Hong Fu Court fire, he was fighting the blaze on the ground floor of Hong Fu Court and lost contact at 3:30 a.m. About half an hour later, he was found unconscious in an open area outside Hong Cheong House with burns to his face. He was sent to hospital for emergency treatment but unfortunately did not survive.
Friends of Ho Wai-ho paid tribute to him on social media, uploading a graduation photo from fire academy. “Please remember what a hero looks like. We will not forget you. Thank you for giving your all for us. Your shift is over now, rest well, brother…….”