National Fire Agency: “We take the Bucheon fire that killed a firefighter seriously ... Please await the investigation findings”

[Financial News]  After allegations emerged that the response to a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, in which a firefighter died in the line of duty, was inadequate, the National Fire Agency called for restraint from making unverified claims or speculation. It said speculative claims made before the investigation’s findings are released could inflict further pain on fellow firefighters who served together at the scene or undermine their morale. The agency said it would determine the circumstances of the incident and assess the adequacy of the on-scene response through a joint investigation.
According to the National Fire Agency on the 22nd, allegations have emerged concerning the factory fire in Bucheon on the 16th: information about flammable materials stored at the scene was relayed to firefighters late, and standard operating procedures for disaster scenes (SOPs) were not properly followed. There were also claims that firefighters used an aggressive rather than a defensive approach despite there being no one in need of rescue.
Since the 20th, the National Fire Agency has been operating a Joint Fire Service Investigation Team for 30 days to determine the cause of the incident and review the on-scene response in its entirety.
The team plans to examine the decision to enter the building and the appropriateness of the firefighting strategy, from the initial response through fire suppression and rescue operations. It will also investigate how information about hazardous materials was verified and relayed, whether standard operating procedures were followed, and the state of firefighter safety management.
The National Fire Agency plans to establish the cause of the incident and review the on-scene response in its entirety through an independent investigation framework that ensures objectivity and fairness.
The agency expressed particular concern about unverified claims spreading before the investigation’s findings are released. It said, “There is concern that unverified facts or speculative claims could inflict further pain on fellow firefighters who carried out their duties together at the scene or lower their morale,” and urged the public to “await the investigation’s findings so that the facts can be accurately established.”
The National Fire Agency said it takes the incident seriously and will comprehensively review and strengthen its on-scene response system, expand staffing and budgets as needed, and work to make effective improvements to the system.

[email protected] Lee Bomi Reporter