BUCHEON — The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party caucuses in the Gyeonggi Provincial Council each issued statements on the 16th on a fire in Nae-dong, Ojeong District, Bucheon, that left seven people injured, including firefighters, wishing the injured a swift recovery and calling for a full response and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Democratic Party said it was time to mobilize all available provincial resources to ensure there are no setbacks in treating the injured and managing the aftermath. The party noted that while the fire was fully extinguished during the morning, a significant number of people were hurt in the course of fighting it.
The party also stressed that the cause must be thoroughly investigated, given that an estimated two tons of hazardous flammable material was found inside the plant. It expressed particular regret that the firefighters who were seriously injured had been wearing their full personal protective gear and that the building was reported to have no sprinkler system.
The Democratic Party said it would work with the Gyeonggi provincial government to devote its full effort to recovery and related support. It added that it would move quickly to draw up policies to strengthen firefighter safety.
The People Power Party said it paid deep tribute to the dedication of the firefighters who ran into the flames to protect the lives and property of provincial residents. It said it would make the swift resolution of the fire and the stabilization of the site its top priority.
The party called on the relevant authorities to spare no effort in clearing the site, treating the injured and providing support for damages. It also stressed that the accident should prompt a review of fire prevention systems and a sweeping strengthening of measures to prevent safety accidents involving firefighters.
It said close safety inspections of workplaces handling hazardous materials should be put on a systematic footing, and that checks on the firefighting equipment and safety protocols of personnel sent into the field should also be tightened.
Both parties in the Gyeonggi Provincial Council said together that they would continue institutional and financial support as well as policy efforts to protect the lives of residents and firefighters in the wake of the fire.
The fire was reported at about 8:38 a.m. that day at a metal-parts painting plant in Nae-dong, Ojeong District, Bucheon, and fire authorities moved in to put it out. Seven people were hurt in the process, including five firefighters and two civilians. Of two firefighters in their 40s who were seriously injured, one was taken to a hospital in cardiac arrest, while the other regained consciousness during treatment.