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Christy Leung

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.
“Life is not about its length but its value,” Ng On-yee wrote on Sunday in an article in Merit Times, a Taiwan-based publication catering to Buddhists. “Chi-kit, you absolutely are Hong Kong’s pride and our glory.”
It was the first time Ng publicly stated her feelings about her husband’s death.
Hong Kong says final farewell to heroic firefighter killed in industrial building blaze
“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
Ng On-yee, on Samuel Hui Chi-kit
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.
On June 23, the third day of the blaze, he was found unconscious by his teammates on the building’s third floor as firefighters were changing shifts to leave the site. He died at United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong about two hours later.
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.
Joining the Fire Services Department in 1998, Hui served at Kwun Tong fire station for many years and was promoted to senior fireman in May this year.
Hong Kong officials to start crackdown on unauthorised premises in industrial buildings in wake of two fires
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.
The government earlier awarded Hui and Cheung posthumous gold medals for bravery. It also granted HK$4.86 million to Cheung’s family and HK$4.5 million to Hui’s.


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Ngau Tau Kok fire

Widow of Ngau Tau Kok firefighter Samuel Hui Chi-kit praises him as ‘Hong Kong’s pride and glory’

Ng On-yee (in helmet) at a June 28 ceremony for her late husband Samuel Hui Chi-kit, in Ngau Tau Kok. Photo: Sam Tsang

Samuel Hui Chi-kit died in a fire in Ngau Tau Kok last month. Photo: SCMP Pictures

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Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Ng On-yee breaks silence for first time since deadly blaze last month
