Hong Kong Firefighter Dies from Blast Injuries

A firefighter died from injuries he sustained in a gas explosion last month.

The South China Morning Post reported that Leung Kwok-kei, 49, suffered severe head injuries in a gas explosion Nov. 22. 

Eight other firefighters and three residents were injured when the explosion, after a suicide attempt, ripped through a Shek Kip Mei apartment building.

Four firefighters are still hospitalized.

Leung started with the Hong Kong Fire Services Department in 1985. In 2011, he was promoted to a principal firefighter.

"I am profoundly saddened at the loss of this brave officer," Director of Fire Services David Lai Man-hin said. "All our colleagues are deeply saddened by the loss of Mr Leung. I have, on behalf of them all, offered our deepest condolences to Mr Leung's family."

Leung is survived by his wife and a 17-year-old daughter.