"I Don't Know Korean"... Chinese Suspect in Cold Storage Fire That Killed Firefighters Faces Warrant Review

A man in his 30s of Chinese nationality, who is an illegal immigrant and is accused of causing a fire in a cold storage warehouse by using fire during paint removal work, appeared for a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review).

According to Yonhap News, on April 14, the suspect, identified as A, who is charged with negligent arson, underwent a warrant review at the Haenam Branch of the Gwangju District Court in Haenam-gun, South Jeolla Province. As he was heading to the courtroom, reporters asked him whether he could speak Korean, to which A replied in broken Korean, "I don't know Korean."

A man in his 30s of Chinese nationality, identified as A, an illegal immigrant accused of causing a fire in a cold storage warehouse by using fire during paint removal work (negligent arson). Photo by Yonhap News.

원본보기 아이콘

After the warrant review, it was reported that he did not provide any further answers to questions as he boarded the police transport vehicle.

A is accused of starting a fire while working on an epoxy paint job in a cold storage warehouse at a seafood processing company located in Gunoe-myeon, Wando-gun, at around 8:25 a.m. on April 12.

Investigations revealed that he started the fire while using a torch-a device that compresses and emits an intense flame-to remove old paint. It was also confirmed that A is an illegal immigrant of Chinese nationality.

Upon receiving the report, firefighters were dispatched to the scene and completed the initial suppression. However, when smoke was later seen coming from inside, they re-entered the warehouse, and two firefighters became trapped. They had entered the warehouse to put out the remaining flames, but were reportedly caught by rapidly spreading fire and toxic gas. Ultimately, both firefighters died in the line of duty.

In addition to investigating A for negligent arson, police are also questioning B, the head of the construction company who gave A the work instructions. At the time, B was reportedly absent from the site and did not follow the "two-person team" safety rule.

Meanwhile, the government posthumously promoted the two firefighters by one rank and awarded them the Order of Merit for National Foundation, in recognition of their dedication and sacrifice in protecting the lives and safety of citizens. On the morning of April 13, Prime Minister Kim Minseok visited the memorial altar to pay his respects and requested that the bereaved families of the fallen firefighters receive the fullest possible support on site.

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