By Joshua But
The South China Morning Post
HONG KONG — Fire chief Gregory Lo Chun-hung fought to hold back tears yesterday as he spoke of the loss of another colleague in a blaze.
Lo, who took command at the scene of the fatal fire in Lai Chi Kok yesterday, had to pause twice to compose himself as he announced the death of senior fireman Yeung Chun-kit, 47.
Yeung was the third officer to die in the line of duty since Lo took the top post in 2008. Two officers died fighting a fire in Cornwall Court, Mong Kok, last year.
Yesterday, Lo said: “Four of my colleagues were rushed to hospital and one of them, unfortunately, died.” A 20-second silence followed as he fought back tears before adding: “We are all full of sorrow.”
Unable to speak again for a few seconds, he then announced a task force would be set up to investigate the blaze, before leaving without taking questions.
Yesterday’s fatality underlined the dangers facing even experienced firefighters.
Senior fireman Siu Wing-fong, 46, a 24-year veteran, died in August in the Mong Kok blaze with Chan Siu-lung, 25, who had been a fireman for only a year. Fireman Wong Ka-hei, 27, was killed fighting a factory blaze in Texaco Road, Tsuen Wan, in 2007.
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