Tai Po inquiry sheds more light on final moments of firefighter Ho Wai-ho

An inquiry into Hong Kong's deadliest fire in over a decade has unveiled more information about the final moments of firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who tragically lost his life while battling the blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last November. This interim report, released by a government-appointed independent committee, includes images of Ho's gear that were recovered from the scene.

The report stated that Ho might have been in prolonged contact with hot or burning objects, leading to severe fire damage to his uniform. The firefighter's selflessness in saving lives was praised, with the report noting that he displayed exceptional bravery and a strong sense of duty despite the challenging and life-threatening conditions.

Ho's PBI Matrix tunic and trousers, designed to withstand extreme temperatures for short periods, were found to be heavily compromised. Additionally, his anti-flash hood and helmet showed minimal signs of damage, apart from a crack in the visor, which may have resulted from contact with a sharp or hard object before or during the fire.

His rubber boots, too, likely endured prolonged exposure to the intense heat or flames, exceeding their protective capacity. The fire had penetrated deep into the buildings and corridors, causing extensive damage to the interiors of the flats, while the exteriors in some areas remained largely intact. Photos revealed blackened walls, ceilings, and gates, with floors covered in debris and sections of walls falling away, exposing reinforcing bars.

The windows and polystyrene coverings, believed to have exacerbated the fire in other areas, remained intact, suggesting that the fire had spread from inside the flats.