HK bids farewell to Tai Po blaze's fallen firefighter

In a moving funeral service on Friday, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region bid a final farewell to Ho Wai-ho, the firefighter who lost his life while combating last month's Tai Po fire, which has so far claimed the lives of 160 residents of Hong Kong.

The service, held by the Fire Services Department at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom at 10 am, was joined by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu among top government officials, alongside Ho's family and colleagues.

Ho, 37, sustained fatal injuries on Nov 26 while participating in a firefighting and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po district.

The FSD honored Ho's sacrifice by posthumously conferring upon him the honorary rank of senior fireman.

Born in 1987, he joined the FSD in 2016 and was stationed at Sha Tin. Throughout his nearly nine-year career, he was recognized for his outstanding performance and dedication, participating in numerous fire and rescue missions.

Members of the public began gathering outside the funeral parlor as early as 8 am to pay their last respects to Ho; some placed flowers in tribute.

At 10:30 am, the funeral procession, led by a fire-truck-turned-hearse, departed the parlor, carrying Ho's coffin draped with the flag of the HKSAR.

Around 11:10 am, the hearse made a brief stop near Wang Fuk Court — the site of the fatal fire — for an on-site ceremony; flowers were laid, firefighters stood in salute, and officials bowed to honor the fallen.

A nearby footbridge was lined with residents who gathered to pay their final respects.

Among the mourners at the fire site was a woman surnamed Lee, a resident of nearby Kwong Fuk Estate, who said that she came to lay flowers in tribute and thank the firefighter for his sacrifice.

She recalled watching the blaze from her home. The pungent odor of smoke was so invasive that it permeated even inside her flat, seeming to cling long after the fire had been extinguished, she said.

From the fire site, the funeral procession headed to Sha Tin Fire Station, where he had worked.

At the station, the hearse paused before a wreath, as fire service officials from across Hong Kong bowed in respect. A fire bell sounded four times — three short rings and one long — to symbolically relieve Ho of his firefighting duties.

The procession then departed for Ho's burial at Gallant Garden, Wo Hop Shek Cemetery — the site reserved for government servants who have lost their lives in service to Hong Kong.

It arrived at around 1:10 pm, with six firefighters and two pallbearers seen carrying Ho's coffin, followed by his brother holding a portrait and his grieving fiancee.

Prior to burial, the flag draped over the coffin was folded, and Ho's service helmet was placed atop the lid, marking the end of his watch.

Adam Lam contributed to this story.