TODAY KOREA — Reporter Kim Si-on | Mourners continued to file into a joint memorial in Wando County to honor two firefighters killed while battling a fire at a refrigerated warehouse. The government said it will recognize the fallen firefighters’ service and move to prevent similar tragedies.
On April 13, residents, fellow firefighters and local officials arrived at the joint memorial set up at the Wando County Cultural and Arts Center. Visitors placed chrysanthemums before the portraits and observed moments of silence.
Portraits of Park Seung-won of the Wando Fire Station and No Tae-young of the Haenam Fire Station were laid out at the memorial.
Colleagues paid their respects, saluting as a final farewell and honoring the firefighters’ sacrifice. Local residents also visited the memorial, expressing sorrow at the loss.
The blaze began the previous day. At about 8:25 a.m. on April 12, a fire broke out inside a refrigerated warehouse at a seafood-processing facility in Gunoem-myeon, Wando County. Two responding firefighters became trapped while fighting the fire.
Fire crews arrived at the scene around 8:31 a.m., declared a Level 1 response and went into action. The two firefighters who entered the building were reported missing about 9:02 a.m. After a search, responders found a 44-year-old lieutenant from Wando Fire Station and a firefighter in his 30s from Haenam Fire Station dead.
Investigators say the blaze likely started during torch work to strip paint inside the refrigerated warehouse. Accumulated vapors appear to have ignited and caused an explosion that rapidly spread the fire. Firefighters deployed 115 personnel and 39 pieces of equipment, bringing the blaze under control by about 11:26 a.m.
National leaders moved quickly after the accident.
President Lee Jae-myung offered condolences, saying, “I deeply honor the dedication of the firefighters who fulfilled their duty to protect the public’s life and safety to the end.” He added, “We will make sure on-scene personnel can operate in safer conditions.”
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok visited the bereaved family, paid his respects and posthumously awarded the Order of Service Merit to the two firefighters.
“I pay my deepest respects to their noble sacrifice,” Kim said. “We will support the families and ensure funeral arrangements are handled with care.” He pledged the government would take steps to prevent similar incidents.
A funeral for the fallen firefighters is scheduled for the morning of April 14 at the Wando Farmers and Fishermen Cultural and Sports Center. The joint memorial will remain open through April 17.
Police and fire officials are investigating the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the fatalities during the suppression effort.
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