The National Fire Agency has formed a joint investigation team to determine the cause of a fire at a factory in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, which resulted in the death of one firefighter.
On October 16, a fire broke out at a metal parts coating factory in the Ojeong District of Bucheon. The investigation team will begin its work on October 20, focusing on identifying the cause of the incident and developing measures to prevent future occurrences.
The team will investigate the entire response process, from initial actions to fire suppression and rescue efforts, over the next 30 days. They will specifically examine whether a large quantity of hazardous materials found at the scene was stored and handled in violation of regulations, and whether appropriate fire prevention measures were in place. The structural risks of the factory building will also be assessed to formulate effective prevention strategies.
The joint investigation team, led by the Planning and Coordination Officer of the National Fire Agency, includes 22 members from the agency, the Gyeonggi Provincial Fire Department, the National Fire Research Institute, external experts, and representatives from the firefighters' union.
The investigation will be conducted by two specialized teams: the Safety Management Investigation Team and the On-Site Response Investigation Team, ensuring a systematic and scientific approach.
Concerns have been raised that the presence of a large amount of unauthorized hazardous materials may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, prompting a focused analysis of the relationship between hazardous material management and the fatal incident.
Choi Yong-cheol, head of the National Fire Agency, stated, "We will thoroughly investigate the cause of the firefighter's death during on-site operations and closely examine the overall safety management of unauthorized hazardous materials. Based on the investigation results, we will implement practical improvement measures to ensure the safety of firefighters and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future."
On the morning of October 16, around 8:38 a.m., a fire erupted at the factory, trapping two of the four firefighters deployed for rescue efforts as the flames rapidly spread. They were rescued and taken to the hospital, but Fire Lieutenant Kim Jin-seok succumbed to his injuries the following day, October 17. Five other firefighters and two factory personnel were also injured.
Kim's funeral service was held the day before at the Bucheon Gymnasium, officiated by the Gyeonggi Province governor. He was posthumously promoted one rank and awarded the Order of Merit for National Security, with his remains interred at the National Cemetery in Seoul.
This incident occurred approximately three months after the National Fire Agency announced measures to prevent firefighter fatalities, emphasizing that external suppression should be prioritized in situations where rescue is not feasible, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing safety protocols in real-world scenarios.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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