A man in his 70s who is suspected of causing a large wildfire that started in Sancheong County, Gyeongnam in March and spread to Hadong County has been referred to the prosecution without detention.
The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 16th that they have referred A, a farm owner in his 70s, to the Jinju Branch of the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office without detention.
According to police, A is suspected of causing the wildfire while carrying out brush-cutting work with three colleagues in Sicheon-ri, Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong County at around 3:26 p.m. on March 21.
The police confirmed, through analysis of on-site CCTV footage, interviews with witnesses and related parties, search and seizure operations, and a joint investigation with relevant agencies, that sparks from A's brush cutter ignited nearby dry grass, which led to the initial outbreak of the fire.
The police determined that A failed to take adequate wildfire prevention and initial suppression measures during the dry spring season.
The scene of Jungtae Village in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong County, Gyeongnam, which suffered damage from a large wildfire. Provided by Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters
The wildfire that broke out in the hills of Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong County spread to Okjong-myeon in Hadong County and even reached Jirisan National Park.
The main fire was brought under control at around 1 p.m. on March 20, 213 hours after it started, but a total of 3,397 hectares were burned, including 1,858 hectares of forest?equivalent to 2,602 soccer fields?such as 132 hectares in Jirisan National Park.
During the firefighting operation, four people?including three wildfire suppression crew members from Changnyeong County and one supervising public official?lost their lives after being trapped by the flames. Five others sustained serious injuries, and another five suffered minor injuries.
A total of 84 facilities, including 28 homes, two factories, and two religious facilities, were reduced to ashes, and 2,158 people lost their homes.
A police official advised, "When performing tasks that may generate sparks, such as using a brush cutter near forested areas, it is essential to check the weather forecast and refrain from using such equipment during dry or windy conditions, strictly following fire prevention guidelines."
The official added, "We plan to conduct a thorough investigation into wildfire-related incidents that pose a risk of large-scale loss of life and property, including the deaths of suppression crew members from Changnyeong County."
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