Two firefighters die while battling meat processing factory blaze

The fire authorities search for the firefighters who were stranded during the fire extinguishing and rescue mission on Thursday morning in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang. [YONHAP]

Two firefighters were found dead Thursday after responding to a fire at a meat processing factory in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang.

The fire authorities recovered the bodies of 27-year-old Kim Su-kwang and 35-year-old Park Su-hoon, who were stranded during the rescue and extinguishing operations.

The authorities discovered their bodies on the third floor of the building. The two were only five to seven meters (16 to 22 feet) apart from each other.

However, the bodies were found more than three hours apart. The first firefighter was discovered at 12:21 a.m., while the second firefighter was located at 3:55 a.m.

The fire department said they struggled to find the deceased firefighters due to debris and structural frames piling up around them.

As the bodies had been badly damaged, the authorities will run DNA tests to confirm their identities.

“The two [dead] firefighters were in the same uniforms," said Bae Jong-hyuck, the head of the Mungyeong Fire Station. "At this point we couldn't confirm their identities."

The two firefighters were part of a four-man search and rescue team when they became isolated from the fire.

The fire broke out around 7:47 p.m. on Wednesday at the four-story building.

The firefighters arrived 10 minutes later.

A total of 35 fire trucks and 79 firefighters were mobilized.

Of the five employees evacuated from the fire, one received medical treatment at the hospital for smoke inhalation.

President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered the National Fire Agency “to use all viable options and equipment to save troubled firefighters” after being informed about the situation.

Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters has announced its intention to not only request posthumous promotions for the firefighters but also to recommend medals for their exemplary service.

Additionally, the fire department is set to request that the government grant a burial at the national cemetery for the two fallen firefighters.

Bae, the superior of the deceased firefighters, struggled to hold back tears as he briefed reporters on the discovery of the bodies.

"The firefighters who sacrificed their lives did their best in searching for survivors and battling the fire," Bae said.

Known for their dedication and commitment to saving lives, both firefighters, Kim and Park, were highly esteemed among their colleagues.

Kim, who joined the fire department in 2019, volunteered for the rescue team last year after obtaining a challenging lifeguard certificate.

The certificate is considered one of the most challenging professional licenses, even among firefighters.

Park, in 2022, transitioned from the special forces in the military to become a firefighter, expressing his belief that saving lives would be a more rewarding career.

He humorously once said he wasn't single because he was married to his job as a firefighter.

Both firefighters were part of the team that conducted a 68-day search for missing people when the northern region in North Gyeongsang was severely affected by torrential rain in July last year, resulting in numerous casualties and missing persons.

In July last year, 47 people died, while three remained missing.

North Gyeongsang was one of the areas heavily affected by the downpour, with nearly 20 people losing their lives and eight still missing, including six individuals after a landslide caused by the heavy rain wiped out villages in Yecheon County.

President Yoon extended his condolences on Thursday upon learning about the missing firefighters.

“May they rest in peace," Yoon said in a statement released by the president's office.

President Yoon humbly acknowledged the sacrifice made by the two heroes, calling out their names and expressing his heartfelt sorrow upon hearing the unfortunate news.

He conveyed his condolences to their families.

"Sacrifices made for the community are noble," Yoon said. "That is why we should always remember the unfortunate sacrifices made by the two heroes."

BY LEE SOO-JUNG, LEE HO-JEONG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]