Widow of Ngau Tau Kok firefighter Samuel Hui Chi-kit praises him as ‘Hong Kong’s pride and glory’
Ng On-yee breaks silence for first time since deadly blaze last month
The widow of senior firefighter Samuel Hui Chi-kit, who died when battling a fire in Ngau Tau Kok last month, broke her silence on Sunday and described her husband as the pride of Hong Kong.
“We will live well. I will teach Pak-kiu [the couple’s son] to be a good person,” she continued. “We believe you will guard us in Elysium. Our hearts are still connected.”
Knowing Hui for two decades, Ng said she and her husband had endured many ups and downs in their 15-year marriage and that family was one of his priorities.
His life may have been short, but it was meaningful
She described Hui as a good son, husband and father and also her best friend.
“Each time I faced difficulties, he always cheered me up and said, ‘go on, there are more solutions than problems’,” she wrote.
Ng described Hui as patient in teaching Pak-kiu, 7, to be a kind soul. She said he insisted on bringing the boy to school on his days off work and to the football pitch on Sundays.
“Pak-kiu was happy when his dad watched him at the football pitch,” she noted. “It’s still vivid in my mind.”
Hui, 37, was the second firefighter to die at the Amoycan Industrial Centre fire in Ngau Tau Kok.
Hui’s death followed that of senior station officer Thomas Cheung, 30, who was killed battling the fire on the first night.
Ng regarded Hui as a deeply passionate and conscientious firefighter over his 18-year career. She added he was courageous and warm.
“His life may have been short, but it was meaningful,” she wrote.
A vigil for the fallen firefighter is to be held on Thursday evening, followed by a ceremony with full honours on Friday morning.
The fire raged for 108 hours, making it one of the longest-running infernos in the city’s history.
