[Exclusive] "Dad, I'm off to work"—Final Farewell on His Commute...Wando Tragedy Claims Father of Three

"The Father Who Always Emphasized 'Safety' Never Returned"

A Devoted Father and Groom-to-Be ... Tragedy Strikes in the Flames

A Bride Wearing Mourning Clothes Instead of a Wedding Dress

Joint Funeral to Be Held at Cheonghaejin Sports

"How could he possibly close his eyes forever, leaving behind his wife and three children—children so precious he would not trade them for anything in the world?"

Two heroes who rushed into the flames to save lives never returned to their families. While battling a fire at a seafood processing plant in Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, two firefighters became trapped and lost their lives in the line of duty. The funeral hall, scarred by tragedy, was filled with the anguished cries of grieving families, casting a deep sorrow over the entire local community.

At the entrance of the funeral hall in Wando, Jeollanam-do, where the mortuary for fallen firefighters was set up on the 12th, fellow team members are standing with stern expressions, greeting mourners. Photo by A Jun-kyung

◆"Vapor Explosion Struck During Final Fire Suppression" ... Situation Changed in Just 10 Minutes

The tragedy unfolded in an instant. At around 8:25 a.m. on April 12, a fire broke out at a seafood processing plant in Gunoe-myeon, Wando-gun. Seven first-arriving firefighters reached the scene at 8:31 a.m. and succeeded in rescuing an employee who had been trapped inside.

Subsequently, at about 8:45 a.m., they attempted a secondary entry to carry out final extinguishing. However, just 10 minutes later, at 8:55 a.m., the situation changed dramatically. While a plant worker was using a torch to remove epoxy from the floor, vapor ignited and caused an explosive spread of the fire.

As thick black smoke and flames intensified, firefighting authorities issued an immediate evacuation order. Nevertheless, Fire Lieutenant A (44) from Wando Fire Station and Firefighter B (30) from the Haenam Fire Station regional unit were unable to escape. Fire Lieutenant A was found, deceased, at 10:02 a.m., while Firefighter B was discovered at 11:23 a.m.

Two firefighters lost their lives in an explosion caused by vapor leakage at a seafood factory in Wando. Lee Minseok, Fire Station Chief, is conducting an official briefing on the cause of the accident. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

◆ Pillar of a Three-Generation Family Devoted to 'Safety' ... Three Children Left Behind

Fire Lieutenant A, a former Special Forces member, was the steadfast head of a three-generation household, living with his wife, three children—each attending elementary, middle, and high school—and his parents-in-law. Among colleagues, he was known as a meticulous veteran who emphasized "safety, safety" as if it were second nature.

A neighborhood elder who met the bereaved family at the funeral hall in Wando said, "He was more diligent and self-disciplined than anyone; I never imagined he would leave his family behind in such a heartbreaking way," unable to hide his grief. The story of the three children, who faced tragedy just when they needed their father's warm guidance the most, touched all who heard it.

A teacher at the school attended by the second child said, "The children were always so bright and kind-hearted. This tragedy is crushing, and I am at a loss for words to comfort them."

The wife, who works at a daycare center in Wando, received news of her husband's passing while on a historical tour with local officials that day and collapsed in tears on the spot.

In front of the funeral hall for the two heroes taken by the devastating fire, the shoulders of their fellow firefighters, tightly silent, sink heavily. Photo by Jungkyung Lee

◆ A Bride-to-Be in Mourning Clothes Instead of a Wedding Dress ... Survivors Struggle with Trauma

Firefighter B, who perished alongside Lieutenant A, was set to be married in just five months. The shock and sorrow of his fiancée and family, now preparing for a funeral instead of a wedding, has left the entire community of Wando in mourning.

Of the seven firefighters who entered during the second attempt, five narrowly escaped. These surviving colleagues are overwhelmed with grief, reportedly suffering from severe guilt and trauma for having survived while their fellow firefighter was lost in the blaze.

The joint funeral for the two fallen heroes is scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. on April 14 at the Wando Cheonghaejin Sports Center. The incense altar will be open until Friday, and after cremation in Daejeon, their remains will be interred at the Daejeon National Cemetery. Fire authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the exact cause and circumstances of the fire.

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