"Oh, Isn't That House on Fire?" Communication Company Heroes Who Moved an Elderly Person with Their Bed

Judged 'Flames Spreading Further,' Stayed in Bed as Is

It was recently revealed that telecommunications company employees passing near the fire scene rescued a bedridden patient with mobility difficulties, drawing public attention.

According to Yonhap News on the 25th, the Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters announced that a fire broke out around 2 p.m. on the 23rd at a detached house located in Soyang-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk Province.

The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes by firefighters who responded to the report. Although the exterior walls, roof, and internal fixtures such as the boiler were burned, fortunately, no casualties occurred thanks to the assistance of Mr. Kang and Mr. Kim.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters]

At the time, LG Uplus employees Kang Choong-seok and Kim Jin-hong, who were passing nearby after completing a telecommunications inspection, noticed the fire at the house and, thinking "there might be someone inside," headed toward the house.

Inside the house were husband Mr. A (75) and his wife Mrs. B (71). It is known that the elderly couple was unaware of the fire at the time.

Mr. A, who hurriedly came to the house due to the fire, requested help, saying, "My wife is sick and has difficulty moving." Judging that the fire could soon spread throughout the house, they carried the bed where the grandmother was lying out of the house as it was.

No casualties thanks to their quick thinking

Employees of a telecommunications company who rescued a patient. From the left in the photo: Kang Choong-seok, Kim Jin-hong.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters]

The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes by firefighters who responded to the report. Although the exterior walls, roof, boiler, and some interior furnishings were burned, fortunately, no casualties occurred thanks to the assistance of Mr. Kang and Mr. Kim.

The fire authorities believe that flying embers from outside ignited a pile of firewood, causing the fire to spread to the house, and are investigating the exact cause of the fire.

A representative from the Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters said, "The grandmother did not suffer serious injuries but is receiving treatment at a hospital," adding, "We are reviewing emergency living expense support along with the 119 Safe House program to provide a new home for the grandfather and grandmother, who are basic livelihood security recipients and disabled, after losing their house."