The heroes of Tai Po

Aftermath

With the investigation having begun into the source of the fire, Yeung revealed his department is working on a computer simulation to probe the source by building a 1:1 model and testing it under the real environment and in a computer simulation.

In the wake of the tragic blaze, the department also met with stakeholders, asking them to run a quick check on the fire system in residential buildings – including the fire alarms. Alarms in seven towers of Wang Chuk Court failed to function during the blaze.

To address the concerns of the public, Yeung said the department has requested reports be submitted after prompt tests of fire safety systems. By law, these systems are required to be tested annually, with reports submitted.

Yeung has said that counselling support has been put in place for those involved in fighting the fire, with psychiatrics seconded from other departments.

Making the call to inform his family when he had a short break from the life-and-death operation, Lee Ho-wah said the city at that time felt like it was blanketed by a sense of helplessness and grievance.

But the young firefighter encouraged Hong Kong to persevere, "After all, life must go on," he said.

Noting many Hong Kong residents had rushed to aid the disaster relief efforts and sent sympathy cards to the firefighters, Lee Kwok-chun thanked them for the outpouring of support.

Lee Kwok-chun used to pass Wang Fuk Court on his way to work. He could never imagine the decimation of what had been thought a safe haven for families, but he has to carry on. As a firefighter, he knew his duty when he joined the force.

During the battle to save Wang Fuk Court, with the skyline shrouded by smoke, he rang up his family, told them he was safe and said he would call them again when his shift ended the next day, and he returned to work.

November's fire not only incinerated many people's lives and tore apart homes, it also left scars on firefighters like Lee Kwok-chun, who remember the scene as simply "shocking".

Yet, the senior fireman, left hurting by the devastation, found solace in the sight of rescued survivors being reunited with their families on the ground.

The memory of the many firefighters who gave their boots to those who fled the fire barefoot or who took off their breathing apparatus for injured residents will help him mend in the time ahead.