Elderly Man Dies in Fire After Initial Alarm Dismissed as Malfunction in Gimje, South Korea
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An elderly man in his 80s died in a house fire in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea, after an initial fire alarm was incorrectly assessed as a malfunction, delaying the fire department’s response. The incident, which occurred on December 6th, has prompted an apology from the Jeonbuk self-Governing Provincial Fire Department.
Initial Alarm and Misjudgment
According to the Jeonbuk Self-Governing Provincial Fire Department, an emergency call was received at approximately 0:41 am on December 6th from a fire detector in a residence in Gimje City. A 119 situation room worker attempted to communicate with the homeowner, identified as Mr. A, an octogenarian.
Mr. A reportedly told the worker, “the fire won’t go out, there’s a noise, it’s pitch dark, so I’m in big trouble.” However, the worker misinterpreted these statements, believing they described the sound and conditions related to a malfunctioning fire detector rather than an actual fire. Consequently, a dispatch order was not issued. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, which also received information about the emergency call, confirmed with fire authorities that no response had been initiated, and the situation room worker explained the possibility of a detector malfunction.
Delayed Response and Fatal Outcome
Approximately 12 minutes later, at 0:53 am, a neighbor reported a fire at the same location. This second report prompted the fire department to dispatch units to the scene. However, by the time firefighters arrived, the fire had already intensified substantially. The blaze was finally extinguished around 2:09 am, approximately one hour and 10 minutes after the initial alarm. Sadly, Mr.A was found deceased inside the house.
Apology and Examination
The Jeonbuk Self-Governing Provincial Fire Department has issued a formal apology, acknowledging “incorrect judgment and careless handling during the registration process” that led to the delayed dispatch. “[We] sincerely apologize to the bereaved family and offer our deepest condolences,” a statement from the department read.
The incident is likely to prompt a review of emergency response protocols and training procedures for fire department personnel in the region. Further investigation will likely focus on the clarity of communication between emergency call workers and residents, and also the criteria used to determine whether a fire detector alarm warrants an immediate dispatch.
Key Takeaways:
* An elderly man died in a house fire in Gimje, South Korea, due to a delayed response.
* The initial fire alarm was dismissed as a malfunction by the fire department.
* A neighbor’s report 12 minutes later prompted a response, but the fire had already escalated.
* The Jeonbuk Self-Governing Provincial Fire Department has apologized and is likely to review its emergency response protocols.