Channel News Asia reported that Ho, who had served with the Hong Kong Fire Services Department for nine years, arrived at the site roughly nine minutes after the fire began on Wednesday and was assigned to fight the blaze on the ground floor of one of the eight residential blocks. He became uncontactable at about 3:30 p.m.

About 30 minutes later, Ho was found collapsed in an open area near the complex with severe burns to his face. He was rushed to hospital but died at 4:45 p.m.

Ho’s Instagram account includes numerous photos of him with his partner, according to Mothership. In one post he captioned: “Thank you very much. Even if you find me annoying, I need to say it 100 times. Love you. You must always laugh as happily as this!”

Fire Services Department Director Andy Yeung expressed deep sorrow at Ho’s death, calling him “a dedicated and gallant fireman.”

“All of our colleagues are deeply saddened by the loss of such a devoted comrade,” Yeung said, adding that the department’s welfare and psychological support teams are providing assistance to Ho’s family.

On social media, friends and colleagues paid tribute. A user on Threads who said he was a friend posted a photo of Ho at his fire-academy graduation and wrote: “Please remember the face of a hero. We will not forget you. Thank you for sacrificing everything for us. Your last shift has ended. Rest in peace.”

The fire began on Wednesday afternoon in bamboo scaffolding on the exterior of one building at Wang Fuk Court and spread via scaffolding to other blocks in the eight-building complex. Authorities raised the alarm to No. 5, the highest level in Hong Kong’s fire alert system, later that day.

As of Friday afternoon the death toll had risen to 128, Reuters reported. Hong Kong Security Chief Chris Tang said about 200 people remained unaccounted for and at least 79 had been injured.

Wang Fuk Court is part of Hong Kong’s public-housing programme and has been occupied since 1983.