Hong Kong says farewell to fireman killed in Shek Kip Mei gas blast
Leung Kwok-kei laid to rest in Gallant Garden after colleagues and citizens pay tribute
The city yesterday paid its last respects to a brave hero as principal fireman Leung Kwok-kei, who died of injuries sustained in a gas explosion last month, was laid to rest with full honours.
Sombre songs were played as Leung's colleagues carried his coffin to Gallant Garden, the corner of Wo Hop Shek Cemetery reserved for people who give their lives serving the public.
Leung, 49, was caught up in an explosion at a flat in Mei Ying House, Shek Kip Mei Estate, on November 22, when he and his team were investigating a suspected gas leak. He suffered severe head injuries in the blast and died on December 4. The flat's 56-year-old resident also died in the incident.
Yesterday also saw the launch of a fundraising campaign to help Leung's wife and 17-year-old daughter, who is due to go to university next year.
The campaign, organised by the Fire Services Department Staff General Association, had received an "overwhelming" response including a "generous" donation from Executive Council member Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, organisers said.
"Judging from the number of inquiries and the amount [received], we are optimistic that the final figure will be close to our target," said Jerry Nip Yuen-fung, the association's chairman. He said a total of HK$2 million to HK$3 million would be ideal.
The funeral began on Wednesday night at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom, where Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, the chief secretary, paid their respects.
After leaving the funeral parlour yesterday morning, the hearse - designed to resemble a fire engine - stopped in Tai Hang Sai Street, the scene of his final, tragic mission. Firefighters and representatives of the estate's residents paid their respects.
Among them was a retired firefighter who said he worked with Leung in the 1980s and bumped into him weeks earlier.
"He asked me how I was finding retired life. He cared about his colleagues a lot," he said, describing Leung as "calm and diligent". The hearse then made its way to the Mong Kok Fire Station, where Leung had been posted since 2011. There, firefighters of all ranks bowed before the coffin left for the cemetery in Fanling.
After joining the department at the age of 20 in 1985, Leung was promoted to senior firefighter in 2000 and principal firefighter three years ago.
- Donations can be made to Leung's family via HSBC account number 165-855750-838
