Fire Lieutenant Kim Jinseok, 44, who went into cardiac arrest while battling a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, has died.
According to the National Fire Agency on the 17th, Kim, who had been receiving treatment at a hospital in an unconscious state after being rescued from the fire scene the previous day, passed away around 12:55 a.m. this morning.
Earlier, a fire broke out at a metal parts coating factory in Bucheon’s Ojeong District around 8:38 a.m. on the 16th. The blaze was extinguished 2 hours and 28 minutes later at 11:06 a.m., but Kim, who had been leading the initial response team, was found in cardiac arrest after being isolated for about 20 minutes as flames rapidly spread. He was transported to a hospital. Another firefighter in his 40s also sustained serious injuries. Kim was part of the first unit deployed to the scene and was found in cardiac arrest around 9:40 a.m.
Additionally, four other firefighters showed symptoms of heat exhaustion and were taken to hospitals, while two factory workers received treatment for smoke inhalation.
The National Fire Agency expressed deep respect for the deceased’s dedication. Fire authorities posthumously promoted him from Fire Sergeant to Fire Lieutenant in recognition of his sacrifice. He is survived by his wife and 6-year-old daughter.
Gyeonggi Province decided to hold a provincial governor’s funeral to honor his sacrifice. The funeral has been set up at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, and a joint memorial altar for the public has been prepared at Sejong Central Park’s Urban Festival Ground. The funeral ceremony is scheduled for the 19th, and the memorial altar will operate until the ceremony concludes.
President Lee Jae Myung wrote on X (formerly Twitter) this morning, “I am deeply grieved by the news of the firefighter who died while performing his duty at the Bucheon fire scene. I offer my sincere condolences.”
Meanwhile, police and fire authorities plan to jointly investigate the exact cause of the fire and the accident’s circumstances starting at 9:30 a.m. today at the fire scene.
