Hong Kong Firefighter Ho Wai-ho was a 37-year-old member of the HK Fire Services Department who died in the line of duty while fighting the recent Wang Fuk Court high-rise fire in Tai Po, now regarded as one of Hong Kong’s deadliest fires in the city’s history.
Our gallant brother Firefighter Ho is the first fire-fatality victim identified.
Before joining the fire service, Ho had reportedly worked as a police officer, and among colleagues he was known as “Big Ho”.
Ho is described as positive, dedicated, and well-liked.
Ho Wai-ho served in the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (FSD) for about nine years and was stationed at Sha Tin Fire Station, working on a “small relief” team responsible for rapid firefighting and rescue operations.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po was raised to a No. 5 alarm, the highest classification in Hong Kong, and burned across multiple residential blocks, ultimately causing many deaths and injuries, with hundreds missing casualty figures are still being revised upward.
Around 14:50–14:55, 26 Nov: Aided by winds, fire is first reported at Wang Cheong House in the Wang Fuk Court complex, apparently linked to external scaffolding and construction netting used for renovation.
Firefighter Ho Wai-ho arrived at the scene around 3:01 p.m. one of the first to carry out rescue and firefighting on the ground floor; he lost contact with his crew around 3:30 p.m., was found collapsed with facial burns at about 4:01 p.m., and was pronounced dead in Prince of Wales Hospital at around 4:41–4:45 p.m.
Before entering the hell, Ho texted his long-time girlfriend soon-to-be wife;
“The fire is huge… very hot… lots of people will not be able to get out.”
She told him to pay attention.
Ho replied, “I have no choice but to come inside.”
Ho’s colleagues in the fire service posted messages mourning the loss of a devoted teammate, emphasizing the risks firefighters accept when entering structure fires and calling Ho a hero for dying while trying to save residents.
Before joining the fire service Ho had reportedly worked as a police officer, and among colleagues he was known as “Big Ho”. He was positive, dedicated, and well liked.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee, Fire Services Director Andy Yeung, and other senior officials publicly praised Ho’s “bravery,” “gallantry,” and “selfless devotion to duty,” and expressed deep condolences to his family.
In the wake of the fire, Hong Kong authorities arrested an engineering consultant and two directors of a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter.
As their sign of respect and mourning The HK Fire Services Department changed its website and social media images to black-and-white.
Local media reported that he and his long-term girlfriend had been together for nearly 10 years and were planning to marry soon, and her public messages of grief have become a focal point for wider community sympathy and remembrance of his sacrifice.
Brother Big Ho,
Your shift is over — rest well
We will never forget you.
Thank you for everything you gave for us.
Until we all meet again on the “Top Floor”
Godspeed
Brotherhood of 
