‘Gallant’ firefighter is first victim identified from Hong Kong fire as death toll hits 55
‘Selfless’ firefighter killed in Hong Kong high-rise tragedy is named
- A massive blaze engulfed a Hong Kong apartment complex, resulting in 44 deaths and nearly 280 people still unaccounted for.
- Firefighter Ho Wai Ho, 37, died while saving residents at the Wang Fuk Court building in Tai Po, having served with the Fire Services Department for nine years.
- Authorities, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, paid tribute to Ho Wai Ho's "gallantry and selfless devotion to duty".
- The fire originated on external scaffolding, spreading to the building and nearby high-rises, likely exacerbated by windy conditions.
- Hong Kong authorities have arrested an engineering consultant and two directors of a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the incident.