The heroes of Tai Po

As a deadly fire raged through a Tai Po housing estate in Hong Kong on Nov 26, firefighters immediately rushed to the front, risking their lives for the benefit of their fellow citizens. Shadow Li speaks with the heroes who faced the city's most ferocious blaze.

Fireman Lee Ho-wah knew he had a decision to make. He made it, took a deep breath and charged into a sea of fire engulfing Wang Cheong House. It appeared to be an impossible mission, with burning bamboo and other debris falling constantly from high above – a picture of doomsday.

Carefully, Lee tried to drag clear an injured man who had collapsed while trying to escape the inferno, shielding him from the shower of burning debris. Lee kept talking to the man, trying to prevent him from falling into unconsciousness.

"Hang in there. They are coming for us," Lee said again and again, perhaps to himself as well as the victim.

Eventually, help arrived and, with the aid of another firefighter, Lee was able to get the man out of the burning building.

Stationed in Tai Po Fire Station, Lee was one of the first on the scene when the fire broke out and was responsible for firefighting on the ground.

When he arrived at Wang Cheong House – the epicenter – Lee soon noticed the entire block and its surround was embroiled in a pillar of fire. Looking up, the sky was blurred by mounting plumes of smoke, and sharp burning bamboo scaffolding along with other debris such as concrete and stones were crumbling from a high-level.

The conditions posed grave threats to the firefighters and their rescue efforts. Lee found himself under great strain in what was an ever-deteriorating situation.