The government announced on Friday that it had disbursed HK$6.15 million to the family of the firefighter who died while battling the Wang Fuk Court blaze last November.

Senior fireman Ho Wai-ho, 37, was one of 168 people who lost their lives in the Tai Po inferno.

The grant was approved by the Committee on Financial Assistance for Family Members of those who Sacrifice their Lives to Save Others.

Its chairman, labour and welfare minister Chris Sun, described Ho as demonstrating exceptional courage and a high degree of gallantry to save and protect other people's lives.

"We deeply mourn the loss of such an excellent and devoted public servant," he said in a statement.

"The grant represents the government's recognition of the late Mr Ho's gallantry and selflessness of the highest order."

The government said the current range of grants offered under the scheme is between HK$6.15 million and HK$12.3 million.

It went on to say that grants are worked out according to a formula with reference to the age of the deceased, normal retirement age, as well as the median monthly employment earnings in Hong Kong at the time.


Edited by Tony Sabine