People pay their respects to fallen fireman Ho Wai-ho in Hong Kong. Photo: IC

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Fire Services Department (FSD) held an official funeral with full honors on Friday for senior fireman Ho Wai-ho, who lost his life in the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, according to a press release of the HKSAR government. 

HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee and other senior officials attended the proceedings to pay their respects, according to media reports.  

On Friday morning, a public condolence area was set up near the Universal Funeral Parlor for members of the public to pay their last respects in memory of Ho from 9 am to 9:30 am, according to the press release.

Before the ceremony began, Lee and HKSAR Secretary for Security Chris Tang, along with several other government officials, arrived at the venue. Commissioner of Police Joe Chow and Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung were also present, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) reported on Friday. 

At 10:30 am, after the official ceremony, the hearse departed from the funeral parlour, passing through Tai Po Tai Wo Road, Po Heung Street, Kwong Fuk Road, Tai Po Road - Yuen Chau Tsai, and arrive at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po at around 11 am for an on-site ceremony held for FSD colleagues and local dignitaries of the district.

The hearse reached Sha Tin Fire Station at 11:30 am, where FSD colleagues led by FSD Director Andy Yeung, paid their final tribute, before proceeding to the Gallant Garden at Wo Hop Shek Cemetery for burial.

The FSD's official website homepage was greyed out on Friday.

A screenshot of the homepage of the website of the Fire Service Department.

Born in 1987, Ho joined the FSD as a fireman in 2016. He served at the Sha Tin Fire Station and demonstrated outstanding performance and dedication during his nine-year service, the HKSAR government said. While executing a firefighting and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court inTai Po on November 26 this year, Ho sustained serious injuries and lost his life in the line of duty.  

The farewell ceremony for Ho was held at the Universal Funeral Parlor on Thursday. According to Sing Tao Headlines, a portrait of Ho Wai-ho in his Fire Services uniform was displayed at the center of the hall, alongside floral tributes from his fiancée and family. Floral arrangements were also sent by Lee.

A portrait of the late fireman Ho Wai-ho in his Fire Services uniform is displayed at the center of the funeral hall. Photo: IC

At around 5 pm on Thursday, a number of senior HK officials, including Lee, and members of the public arrived at the funeral parlour to pay their respects, local media reported.

Outside the funeral parlour, floral tributes and condolence cards from various sectors filled the entrance from the afternoon onward, including those from non-official Executive Council members, fire and ambulance colleagues, disciplined services unions, government departments, the business sector, and residents of Wang Fuk Court. One condolence card from a member of the public read: "Fearless in the face of danger, protecting lives — you were the brightest light in the darkness."


Global Times