Elderly Couple in Their 80s Evacuated and Fire Extinguished... 20-Year-Old Firefighter Dies in Line of Duty

Jeju Firefighter Im Seong-cheol Dies After Head Injury from Collapsed Structure While Fighting Fire

A wave of mourning continues for the firefighter in his 20s who died in the line of duty while extinguishing a warehouse fire in Jeju.

According to the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters on the 1st, at around 1:09 a.m. that day, Firefighter Im Seong-cheol (29) of the Eastern Fire Station Pyoseon 119 Center, who responded to a fire at a warehouse next to a house in Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo City, was seriously injured after being hit on the head by a concrete eave of the warehouse wall that collapsed due to the fierce flames. He was transported to the hospital but ultimately passed away.

The firefighters who responded to the report evacuated an elderly couple in their 80s who were inside the house and extinguished the fire. Firefighter Im, who had been on duty for five years, was also the first to arrive at the fire scene that day, evacuated residents, and immediately began firefighting efforts. Although Firefighter Im was wearing a safety helmet, it is reported that he could not avoid injury when the concrete debris suddenly collapsed on him.

In the early morning of the 1st, a warehouse fire occurred in Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo City. [Image provided by Seogwipo Police Station]

As a result, condolences for Firefighter Im have been pouring in. Netizens expressed their sympathies with comments such as, "Another angel who was responsible for protecting the safety of the people on the front lines has passed away. We sincerely pray for the deceased’s peace," "Please improve safety equipment and working conditions for firefighters," "The noble sacrifice of the deceased will be remembered by the people of Jeju and the entire nation," and "Thank you sincerely for your efforts to ensure the safety of the people."

Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon also wrote on Facebook, "My heart is broken by the news of the deceased who bravely faced the massive flames without fear to protect the safety of the residents." He added, "I pray for the deceased’s peace and offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved family." He further stated, "We will never forget the courage, dedication, and noble sacrifice shown by the deceased."

Early morning of the 1st, warehouse fire scene in Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo City. [Image provided by Seogwipo Police Station]

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, also posted on Facebook, "At such a young age, the news of the deceased’s death in the line of duty, who sacrificed and dedicated himself solely for the safety of the people amidst the massive flames, is deeply heartbreaking." He continued, "I bow my head in respect to the firefighters and volunteer firefighters who continue to protect the daily lives of the people with a spirit of self-sacrifice."

Meanwhile, Firefighter Im was known for his exceptional sense of duty, always taking the lead and actively participating at various accident scenes. The fire authorities plan to proceed with compensation and honor procedures for the fallen firefighter in accordance with the Public Officials’ Disaster Compensation Act.