Tributes for Summer's sacrifice
A father last night broke down in tears as hundreds paid tribute at a memorial service for his daughter, who died saving her family from a deadly blaze in Ma Tau Wai last month.
Schoolmates, teachers and family members wept for Summer Tse Yan-yee, one of four people who died three weeks ago in a fire at a tenement building, in the school hall of Kowloon True Light Middle School.
Tse Cho-suen said he was tired and speechless, despite having thousands of words to say, as he made a brief address during the service organised by his daughter's school.
'My younger daughter and I can stand here today because of Summer's power, courage and selfless spirit. I lose my daughter, but I can do nothing to stop this from happening,' he said, as tears filled his eyes.
The 18-year-old woke all her family members at 3am as the tenement building, in which many flats had been subdivided into smaller units, caught fire. She helped her father and younger sister escape while she suffered serious burns.
'When she loosened her grip on her father during the fire, she ran towards the stairs to find a way for her family's escape. She was prepared to sacrifice herself,' said the school's principal, Lee Yi-ying.
'She demonstrated to us the grace of humankind, which shone upon her family, the entire school and society... and she is now free in heaven, whispering to the myriad stars in eternity.'
More than 250 mourners said prayers, sang songs and observed a period of silence. A song written by Summer, dedicated to her parents, was played.
Its lyrics included the words: 'You're the one I love the most. Nothing can change my love for you ... Believe me, have faith in me ... so come, be my angel.'
Tse recovered his daughter's diary and student handbook when he returned to the rented, subdivided cubicle on Thursday.
'All this refreshed my memories and reminded me of the days we had together. It made me feel bad again,' Tse said later.
Tse and his wife, now homeless, are staying at a hotel. Their surviving daughter, five-year-old Tse Cheuk-wing, who had skin graft surgery last Wednesday, has also been allowed to stay with her family until her next medical consultation.
Summer Tse's funeral will take place at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom at 6pm tomorrow.
