A courageous firefighter tragically lost his life in the Hong Kong apartment block catastrophe after losing communication with his team, officials have disclosed. Ho Wai-ho, aged 37, had been a dedicated firefighter for nine years and was stationed at the Sha Tin Fire Station in the city. He responded to the intense fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district at 3:01 pm local time on Wednesday.
Reports indicate that he became unresponsive to colleagues at 3:30 pm and was later discovered unconscious with facial burns in an open area half an hour later. Despite paramedics’ efforts to revive him through first aid and CPR, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung expressed deep sorrow over Mr. Ho’s tragic demise during the operation. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the firefighter’s family.
By midday UK time on Wednesday, it was confirmed that at least 12 individuals, comprising eight women and three men, had perished in the incident, with another 16 sustaining injuries. Concerns are raised over a potential increase in the death toll as reports indicate several individuals might still be trapped within the housing complex, which consists of eight separate blocks accommodating over 1,900 households.
Residents have voiced outrage over the alleged failure of fire alarms to activate when the blaze erupted, despite their presence in the buildings. Former district councillor Herman Yiu Kwan-ho relayed that residents claimed the alarms remained silent even after the smell of burning became noticeable.
Residents reportedly only became aware of the fire when alerted by a security guard knocking on their doors, leaving them minimal time to evacuate. The fire, which rapidly propagated on bamboo scaffolding encircling the complex as part of renovation works, has sparked concerns over safety measures and supervision of construction activities.
As the fire escalated and spread to adjacent blocks like Wang Tai House and Wang Sun House, residents, including elderly individuals requiring assistance, were evacuated to temporary shelters. Emergency medical treatment was provided to several individuals, with some in critical condition.
In response to the crisis, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu activated an emergency incidents monitoring and support center to coordinate rescue efforts and receive updates from relevant authorities. He expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the affected families.
Tai Po, the locality where the tragic incident unfolded, is home to approximately 300,000 residents and is situated near the border with Shenzhen, China. Wang Fuk Court, part of the government’s subsidized home ownership scheme, has been in occupation since 1983.
A spokesperson from the Fire Services Department advised nearby residents to remain indoors, seal doors and windows, and stay composed. The public is urged to avoid the affected area and seek information on casualties via a dedicated hotline at 1878 999.