(Total) Two Firefighters Die While Battling Wando Frozen Warehouse Fire

Fire at Frozen Warehouse of Seafood Processing Company in Gunoe-myeon
Arrived at the Scene Six Minutes After Report... Issued Response Level 1
One Rescue Team Member and One Firefighting Crew Member Killed During Operation
Statement Secured: Torch Used During Paint Removal Work

Two firefighters who were dispatched to the scene died in a fire that broke out at a frozen warehouse in Wando-gun, Jeonnam.

According to the Jeonnam Fire Department and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, an unidentified fire broke out at around 8:25 a.m. on April 12, 2026, at the frozen warehouse of a seafood processing company in Wondong-ri, Gunoe-myeon, Wando-gun, Jeonnam. The warehouse was reportedly empty at the time.

Firefighters are battling to extinguish a fire at the frozen warehouse of a seafood processing and manufacturing company in Gunoe-myeon, Wando-gun, Jeonnam Province on the 12th. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

As a result of the fire, two firefighters who became trapped during the firefighting operation—Lieutenant Park (44) of the Wando Fire Department rescue team and Firefighter Noh (31) of the Bukpyeong Regional Unit, Haenam Fire Department—were both found dead. Firefighter Noh was initially classified as missing during the early search process, but his death was later confirmed.

In addition, a male employee of the company in his 50s was transported to the hospital after inhaling smoke, but his life is not in danger.

The fire authorities arrived at the scene at 8:31 a.m., six minutes after the report was received, and issued Fire Response Level 1 at 9:00 a.m. Subsequently, a total of 115 personnel, including firefighters and police, and 39 pieces of equipment were mobilized for the firefighting operation. The fire was completely extinguished at 11:26 a.m. on the same day.

At the scene, a company representative stated that "the fire started while using a torch during paint removal work inside the factory." Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the fire.

Kim Seung-ryong, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, is expected to visit the site of the fire on this day to inspect the accident response situation.

Earlier, President Lee Jaemyung, upon receiving a report of the accident, instructed that "all available resources should be mobilized for accident response and rescue of lives for the firefighters who were injured during the firefighting operation at the frozen warehouse," according to Senior Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jeong. He further emphasized, "Since human lives are the top priority, make every effort to ensure the safety of rescue personnel and prevent additional accidents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.