The family of a firefighter, who died while battling Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades, will receive HK$6.15 million (US$831,246) in financial assistance in recognition of his courage and selflessness, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced on Friday.

Senior fireman Ho Wai-ho, 37, sacrificed his life on Nov 26 last year while conducting a search and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court. The deadly fire at the residential building complex claimed the lives of 168 people.

The grant was approved by the Committee on Financial Assistance for Family Members of those who Sacrifice their Lives to Save Others.

“Ho demonstrated exceptional courage and a high degree of gallantry to save and protect the lives of others, which commands our greatest respect…We deeply mourn the loss of such an excellent and devoted public servant,” said Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han, who is also the chairman of the committee.

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The grant – under the Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others which was established in January 2002 – represents the SAR government's recognition of the Ho's gallantry and selflessness of the highest order, he added.

Under the scheme, the amount of financial assistance for each approved application is worked out according to a formula having regard to the age, normal retirement age of the deceased and the prevailing median monthly employment earnings, with the minimum and maximum levels currently set at HK$6.15 million and HK$12.3 million, respectively.