"Fire!" High School Student Who Knocked on Doors from 21st Floor to Evacuate Residents Receives Commendation

Fire Occurs at Apartment in Jinjeop-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
Patient Transported to Hospital for Respiratory Distress but Currently Recovering

When a fire broke out in an apartment located in Jinjeop-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, a high school student residing in the apartment received a commendation for calmly responding in the early stages by evacuating residents.

Student Kim Minjun awarded a certificate of commendation.
[Photo by Namyangju Bukbu Police Station]

On the 5th, the Namyangju Northern Police Station (Chief Oh Ji-hyung) announced that they awarded a commendation to Kim Min-jun (a second-year student at Gwangdong High School), who guided people to evacuate and prevented property damage at the fire scene on the 2nd floor of an apartment in Jinjeop-eup around 21:26 on the 1st.

Kim was living on the 21st floor of the apartment where the fire occurred. After realizing the fire, he went down from the 21st floor to the 1st floor via the stairs, knocking on the doors of each floor to inform residents of the fire. During the rescue process, Kim inhaled a large amount of smoke and was transported to the hospital due to respiratory distress symptoms. However, he has since recovered and is confirmed to have no difficulties in daily life.

Kim said, "Many elderly residents who have difficulty moving live in the apartment, so I thought they might not have realized the fire," and added, "I knocked on the doors of each floor to inform them of the fire." Chief Oh Ji-hyung stated, "We deeply thank Kim Min-jun for his dedication and great courage in ensuring citizens' safety and reducing fire damage."

■ Evacuation Methods in Case of Fire

1. When you discover a fire, shout loudly 'Fire!' to alert others.
2. Press the fire alarm emergency bell.
3. Never use the elevator; use the stairs instead.
4. If you cannot evacuate to a lower floor, evacuate to the rooftop.
5. Evacuate in a low posture following the guide's instructions.
6. When passing through flames, cover your body and face with a wet blanket or towel.
7. Before opening a door, check it with the back of your hand or touch the doorknob.
- If the doorknob is not hot, carefully open the door and exit.
- If the doorknob is hot, do not open the door and find another way.
8. After evacuating, wait for rescue on the side where the wind is blowing.
9. Once outside, never go back inside.
- If there is no other exit, wait until rescuers arrive.
- Block door gaps with clothes or blankets to prevent smoke from entering the room. Wetting them is even better.
10. When there is a lot of smoke, follow these precautions:
- There is a layer of clean air below the smoke layer.
- Crawl using your arms and knees in smoky areas, but do not let your stomach touch the floor.
- Use one hand to cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel to prevent smoke from entering your lungs.
11. If your clothes catch fire, cover your eyes and mouth with both hands and roll on the ground.