A firefighter who died in the line of duty while carrying out suppression and rescue operations at a Hong Kong apartment fire was reportedly set to marry next month after 10 years of dating. A wave of condolences is following the death in the line of duty.
According to Hong Kong 01 and other local media on the 27th, firefighter Ho Wai-ho (37) died in the line of duty at the scene of a fire that broke out the previous afternoon at Wang Fuk Court, a 31-story residential high-rise apartment complex in the Tai Po area of northern Hong Kong.
Ho arrived at the scene at about 3:01 p.m. the previous day, immediately after the fire broke out, and lost contact at about 3:30 p.m. while conducting a search in the basement.
About 30 minutes later, colleagues found Ho collapsed with severe burns on the face in an open area outside the building. Ho was rushed to a hospital but died at about 4:45 p.m.
After news of the death in the line of duty spread, condolences from colleagues and citizens followed. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department changed the homepage screen to black and white. Colleagues shared photos taken together at fire academy graduation on social media (SNS), writing, "We will not forget you. Rest in peace." Netizens left commemorative comments on Ho's Instagram account, such as "Rest in peace. You are a hero of the Hong Kong people," and "Thank you, the mission is over. Go peacefully."
Ho reportedly became a firefighter nine years ago after working as an airport special police officer. He is said to have dated his girlfriend for about 10 years and was set to marry next month.
Ho often posted on Instagram and other social media photos of himself beaming while lifting his partner in his turnout gear or traveling together. In the captions, he also expressed affection, writing, "I want to say it a hundred times. I love you. Let's keep smiling happily from now on."
Ho's girlfriend on Threads thanked the netizens who joined in mourning that day, writing, "My superhero has finished the mission and gone to Krypton." Krypton is Superman's home planet in the movies. She also wrote, "You are my pride. But I can't accept this. I wish I could hold your hand again," adding to the sorrow.