Bucheon paint factory fire injures 8 including 6 firefighters, 2 seriously
First seen · Oct 17, 4:04 AM (Seoul) · Last updated · Oct 17, 4:04 AM (Seoul)
A fire broke out on the morning of Oct. 16 at a metal parts coating factory in Naedong, Ojeong District, Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, injuring six firefighters and two factory workers. Two of the injured firefighters are in serious condition, and one was taken to hospital in cardiac arrest.
What happened
At around 8:38 a.m. on Oct. 16, a fire started in a third-floor washing room of a metal parts coating plant in Naedong, Ojeong District, Bucheon. Fire authorities issued a level-2 response and fully extinguished the blaze about two hours after it was reported. Eight people were injured, including six firefighters and two factory workers.
Why it's trending
Two of the six injured firefighters were seriously hurt, and one rescued firefighter was taken to hospital in cardiac arrest. Newsis cited rapid combustion as the reason so many firefighters were injured. The plant had no sprinklers; fire authorities said its floor area fell below the threshold that requires them.
Reactions
News1 reported that colleagues at the scene broke down on hearing that a fellow firefighter had been badly hurt. On SBS, an article about firefighters asking whether a colleague who had gone into the flames first was alive made the most-read list.
What to watch
Fire authorities are looking into whether the fire started in a washing machine. They confirmed that hazardous materials such as thinner and paint were stored at the plant and are checking whether a permit was required. A joint forensic inspection is scheduled for Oct. 17.