Dangjin Fire Station's Cha Min-ho acts fast, preventing major damage
A firefighter returning from a work trip spotted a building fire and helped contain it through quick reporting and early intervention, preventing what could have been a far more serious blaze.
South Chungcheong Province's fire headquarters said Cha Min-ho, a firefighter with the Dangjin Fire Station, was passing near the Artrian Culture Museum in Asan on May 29 at around 1:13 p.m. when he noticed black smoke billowing from the second floor of a building.
Cha immediately called 119, relayed the exact location and details of the fire, then entered the building to prepare an indoor fire hydrant for discharge. He also retrieved a fire extinguisher from his personal vehicle and used it to fight the second-floor fire.
When the first responding unit arrived, he handed over command at the scene and helped check for casualties and additional hazards.
No injuries were reported. The extent of property damage and the cause of the fire remain under investigation.
A representative of the building posted a message of thanks on the provincial fire headquarters' official website, writing that "thanks to the quick report and response, we were able to prevent even greater damage."
A provincial fire headquarters official said Cha's calm and decisive action — refusing to drive past a fire even while returning from a work trip — helped avert serious harm. "South Chungcheong's fire service will continue to do its utmost to protect the lives and property of residents, anytime and anywhere," the official added.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
