[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A fire broke out in an office container at an agricultural industrial complex in Cheongyang, Chungnam, resulting in four deaths. It was reported that the 112 emergency call received at the time of the incident included sounds of someone arguing and screaming.
According to the Chungnam Fire Headquarters and police on the 19th, at around 9:46 a.m., police witnessed a fire in a container building within Hwaseong Agricultural Industrial Complex in Janggyeri, Hwaseong-myeon, Cheongyang-gun, and reported it to 119. At that time, the police had already been dispatched due to a 112 call reporting sounds of someone seemingly arguing.
The fire authorities deployed 41 personnel including firefighters and 15 pieces of equipment, extinguishing the fire in about 20 minutes. However, three people inside the container were found dead, and their bodies were severely damaged to the point that identification was difficult.
One person who was found collapsed outside suffered full-body burns and was transported by doctor helicopter to a specialized burn hospital in Cheonan in cardiac arrest but was eventually reported dead.
Weapons and flammable materials were also found around the scene. The container where the fire occurred was identified as an office space prepared by an agricultural corporation.
Meanwhile, a Cheongyang Police Station official stated, "Someone called the police but did not speak, only screams of 'ah, ah' were heard," adding, "We tried to contact the caller again afterward, but the call was not answered."
The police are investigating the exact cause of the fire with company officials, considering the possibility that the fire broke out during a conflict and fight among employees.
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