Hong Kong to pay final tribute to firefighter Ho Wai-ho killed in Tai Po blaze

The Fire Services Department (FSD) will hold an official funeral with full honors on Friday for firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who was killed in the five-alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po and was posthumously promoted to senior fireman.

The funeral service will take place at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom on December 19. As part of the arrangements, the FSD will set up a public condolence area near the funeral parlour from 9am to 9.30am, allowing members of the public to pay their last respects. Visitors are advised to follow the routes designated by on-site staff.

The official funeral ceremony will begin at 10am and will be attended by government officials, community dignitaries, and Fire Services Department personnel. The ceremony will not be open to the public. The Director of Fire Services, Andy Yeung Yan-kin, will be among those in attendance.

Following the ceremony, the hearse will depart the funeral parlour at around 10.30am. A service contingent comprising government officials and fire service personnel will line up outside the venue to pay their final tribute as the cortege sets off.

The hearse will then travel through Tai Po Tai Wo Road, Po Heung Street, Kwong Fuk Road, and Tai Po Road–Yuen Chau Tsai, arriving at Wang Fuk Court at about 11am, where an on-site memorial ceremony will be held for Fire Services Department colleagues and local district dignitaries.

Afterward, the cortege will proceed via Tai Po Road–Sha Tin, Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, and Yuen Wo Road to Sha Tin Fire Station, arriving at around 11.30am. Director of Fire Services Yeung will lead firefighters in lining up outside the station to render final honors, with local officials and community figures also attending.

The funeral procession will then continue to the Fire Services Department’s memorial garden, Ho Yuan, at Wo Hop Shek Cemetery, where the burial ceremony will be held, bringing the day’s tributes to a close.

Ho's girlfriend, Kiki, posted on social media today, expressing hope that everyone will forever remember his selfless spirit.