“Rushed in first” ... Bucheon firefighter in their 40s dies in line of duty after suffering cardiac arrest

[Financial News]  
A firefighter in their 40s, deployed as part of the first-arriving team to a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, became trapped and suffered cardiac arrest while fighting the blaze, and has died in the line of duty.
The National Fire Agency said on the 17th that firefighter A, who had been seriously injured in the previous day's factory fire in Bucheon and was receiving hospital treatment, died early that morning.
The fire broke out at around 8:38 a.m. the previous day at a metal injection molding and printing factory in Nae-dong, Ojeong-gu, Bucheon, and was extinguished 2 hours and 28 minutes later.
Another firefighter in their 40s who entered the building early with A was also seriously injured. They are believed to have been hurt when the fire spread after they entered the factory. Four other firefighters were taken to hospital with symptoms of heat exhaustion, while two factory personnel also received hospital treatment for smoke inhalation and other injuries.
A's wake has been set up at the funeral hall of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital. The National Fire Agency has set up a joint memorial altar at Sejong Central Park Urban Festival Plaza in Sejong City and will keep it open from 2 p.m. that day until the end of the funeral service.
The National Fire Agency said, “We pay deep tribute to the deceased's noble dedication and sacrifice, and sincerely pray for the repose of the deceased's soul.”
At the time of the fire on the 16th, fire authorities responded to a report that a fire had broken out in the factory's third-floor washing room. Nineteen minutes after receiving the report, at 8:57 a.m., they declared a Level 1 response, then raised it to Level 2 at 9:09 a.m. At 10:22 a.m., they brought the main flames under control and lifted all response levels; the fire was fully extinguished at 11:06 a.m. The factory is believed to have contained Class 4 hazardous materials, which are flammable liquids.
Police and fire authorities were scheduled to conduct a joint on-site inspection at around 9:30 a.m. on the 17th to determine the exact cause of the fire and the circumstances of the firefighters' injuries.
The wake for the firefighter who died in the line of duty has been set up at the funeral hall of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital.
The National Fire Agency has set up a joint memorial altar at Sejong Central Park Urban Festival Plaza in Sejong City and will keep it open from 2 p.m. on the 17th until the end of the funeral service.
The National Fire Agency said, “We pay deep tribute to the deceased's noble dedication and sacrifice, and sincerely pray for the repose of the deceased's soul.”

[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter