Family of Hong Kong firefighter killed in Tai Po blaze to receive HK$6.15 million in gov’t financial aid

2026-03-06 - 10:15

The family of the Hong Kong firefighter who died battling November’s Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po will receive HK$6.15 million in financial support, the government has announced. Firefighters bury Ho Wai-ho, who died in the Wang Fuk Court fire, at Gallant Garden on December 19, 2025. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Ho Wai-ho, 37, was among the 168 lives lost in Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in almost eight decades. He died in the line of duty on November 26 last year, the day the fire broke out, and was posthumously promoted to senior firefighter. The government said on Friday that his family will receive HK$6.15 million under a government initiative called “Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others.” Set up in 2002, the scheme provides a one-off payment to the family of one who loses their life while “proactively rendering assistance to save or protect the life of another person,” according to the initiative’s details. The amount is determined by a formula that takes into account the age and projected retirement age of the deceased, as well as the median monthly income in Hong Kong. Wang Fuk Court residential buildings after the fire. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Ho “demonstrated exceptional courage and a high degree of gallantry to save and protect the lives of others, which commands our greatest respect,” Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said in a statement. “We deeply mourn the loss of such an excellent and devoted public servant. The grant represents the Government’s recognition of the late Mr Ho’s gallantry and selflessness of the highest order.” Ho, who was attached to the Sha Tin Fire Station, went missing after he was dispatched to battle the Wang Fuk Court fire last November. He was later found with burns on his face and was declared dead at the hospital. Ho’s funeral was attended by Chief Executive John Lee and the top government officials, including Chief Secretary Eric Chan, Financial Secretary Paul Chan, and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam. He was laid to rest at Gallant Garden, a burial ground for civil servants who died in the line of duty, in Wo Hop Shek Public Cemetery. Hongkongers pay tribute to firefighter Ho Wai-ho at Sha Tin Fire Station on December 2, 2025. The 37-year-old fireman died in line of duty on November 26, 2025, when blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Payments under the scheme range from a minimum of HK$6.15 million to a maximum of HK$12.3 million. See also: Tai Po fire timeline: Wang Fuk Court’s HK$330 million renovation, ignored warnings and aftermath Last week, the city marked three months since the tragic fire captured local and international headlines. The tragedy highlighted concerns about corruption and bid-rigging in the large-scale construction projects – at the time, Wang Fuk Court was undergoing major renovation, and authorities have suspected construction firms of cutting corners and using flammable materials to lower cost. Public hearings for an independent committee investigating the tragedy are set to begin on March 19, with residents scheduled to testify.