HONG KONG (FN) — Hong Kong bid farewell Friday to firefighter Ho Wai‑ho, 37, who died battling the Wang Fuk Court inferno in Tai Po, a blaze that killed at least 160 people and became the city’s deadliest fire in decades.
Thousands of mourners lined the streets as Ho’s funeral procession passed through Hung Hom, Tai Po, and Sha Tin, before arriving at Gallant Garden cemetery, reserved for civil servants who die in the line of duty. His coffin was draped in the Hong Kong flag, accompanied by solemn salutes from fellow firefighters.
The funeral began at the Universal Funeral Parlour, where wreaths and thank‑you cards covered the entrance. Citizens bowed three times in respect, while colleagues described Ho as “gentle” and “selfless.” Many brought Kinder chocolate, his favorite treat, as a symbol of his warmth and kindness.
Ho was posthumously promoted to Senior Fireman and awarded the Medal for Bravery (Gold), the city’s highest honor for courage. Chief Executive John Lee attended the ceremony, praising Ho’s sacrifice as “a reminder of the risks our frontline workers face every day.”
The Wang Fuk Court blaze erupted on 26 November 2025, engulfing seven residential blocks and burning for nearly two days. More than 5,000 residents were displaced, and the disaster raised urgent questions about housing safety standards and emergency preparedness in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
Videos from the scene showed Ho and his team entering the burning complex as flames tore through upper floors. He was later found unconscious and pronounced dead at hospital, becoming the most prominent casualty among the emergency responders.
Public grief has been intense. Vigils were held across Hong Kong, with citizens lighting candles and leaving chocolate bars at fire stations. “He was so young, but he sacrificed himself for us,” one mourner said, echoing the city’s collective sorrow.
The tragedy has drawn comparisons to the 2016 Ngau Tau Kok blaze, which killed firefighters Thomas Cheung and Samuel Hui, also buried at Gallant Garden. Ho now joins their ranks as a symbol of frontline bravery in Hong Kong’s history.
Officials pledged to review fire safety regulations, particularly in aging housing estates. Critics argue that inadequate building standards and overcrowding contributed to the scale of the disaster, while supporters of the fire services praised the courage of responders who prevented even greater loss of life.
For many, Ho Wai‑ho’s funeral was not only a farewell but a national moment of reflection. The Kinder chocolate tributes captured headlines, embodying how ordinary gestures can carry profound meaning in grief. His sacrifice stands as a reminder of resilience in the face of tragedy, and of the human cost borne by those who protect their communities.
