The Hong Kong government is reportedly set to hold a funeral procession with the highest honours for firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who lost his life in the massive Tai Po inferno.
Local media, citing unnamed sources on Monday and Tuesday, reported that the ceremony for the 37-year-old firefighter would take place on December 19 at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom.
His body will be laid to rest at Gallant Garden, a burial ground for civil servants who died in the line of duty.
Details of the funeral will be announced later, according to media reports.
Ho, who was stationed at Sha Tin Fire Station, was deployed to Wang Fuk Court on November 26, when a massive fire engulfed seven of the eight blocks in the residential estate in Tai Po, triggering a No. 5 alarm and killing 160 people.
Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung told the media on that day that Ho was found unconscious at the scene and was sent to Prince of Wales Hospital, where he was declared dead at 4.41pm.
Ho had served in the Fire Services Department (FSD) for about nine years, Yeung said.
The fire chief added that the firefighter’s performance was “valiant” and all of Ho’s colleagues were deeply saddened by the loss of “such a devoted comrade.”
On Tuesday, the FSD thanked people who visited the Sha Tin Fire Station to pay tribute to Ho.
The fire station set up a booth for residents to pay their respects, with bouquets of flowers filling the tables as many observed a moment of silence in front of the station.
“This gesture is not only an affirmation of his selfless sacrifice in saving others, but also a show of support and encouragement for Ho Wai-ho’s family and colleagues. Thank you for your respect and love for fire and rescue personnel,” the FSD wrote on Facebook.
Scaffold nets
Last week, Chief Executive John Lee ordered an independent committee, chaired by a judge, to be set up to probe the deadly Tai Po blaze.
It is not a formal commission of inquiry, which, under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance, has statutory powers to summon witnesses and demand evidence.
However, Lee vowed that the committee would be empowered to request assistance from government departments, including those with investigative powers, to “seriously ascertain the truth.”
Inspections conducted at the fire site found that some scaffold nets used in the estate’s large-scale renovation project did not meet fire safety standards.
While the cause of the fire remains unknown, police believe the substandard netting and foam boards contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.
So far, 15 people have been arrested for alleged manslaughter and corruption linked to the construction project. Six people were apprehended over a faulty alarm system.
