(LEAD) 1 firefighter in cardiac arrest, 2 injured in Bucheon factory fire

Bucheon, South Korea experienced a tragic incident on October 16 when a fire broke out at a factory, resulting in one firefighter going into cardiac arrest and two others sustaining injuries, according to Yonhap news agency. The fire, which erupted at an eight-story metal parts coating factory at 8:38 a.m., prompted authorities to deploy 80 firefighters to tackle the blaze.

As the firefighters rushed towards the scene, two of them were quickly isolated and rushed to nearby hospitals. One of the injured firefighters was found in a state of cardiac arrest, requiring immediate medical attention. The third firefighter, meanwhile, sustained minor injuries during the rescue operation. In addition to the firefighters, two factory officials were also reported to have been injured in the incident.

Fire authorities managed to contain the main blaze at 10:22 a.m., allowing for a respite in the emergency response efforts. Once the fire had been fully extinguished, an investigation into the exact cause of the blaze would be launched. President Lee Jae Myung was briefed on the incident and subsequently called for all-out efforts to extinguish the fire and rescue those in danger.

In his address, President Lee emphasized the need for a thorough response to prevent further damage, given the presence of inflammable substances inside the factory. He urged special caution to ensure the safety of the firefighters battling the fire, citing the importance of their well-being in the face of such a dangerous situation.