An arrest warrant has been requested for a worker of Chinese nationality who caused a fire at a cold storage warehouse in Wando County, South Jeolla.
Wando Police Station said on the 14th that it has sought an arrest warrant on charges of causing a fire by negligence for A, a Chinese national in their 30s, who started a fire at a cold storage warehouse in Gunoe-myeon, Wando County.
A is suspected of starting a fire on the morning of the 12th while removing floor paint (epoxy) at a seafood processing company's cold storage warehouse in Gunoe-myeon, Wando County, South Jeolla. It is believed the fire was unintentionally caused while removing the existing paint to apply a new coat. Heating epoxy paint generates vapors, and the use of ignition sources is strictly restricted.
B, a representative of the construction firm in their 60s who had ordered the work, was reportedly away at the time. The torch was used alone without following the hot work safety rule of working in pairs.
Police considered the risk of flight given that A is an undocumented resident.
Police are also considering booking B, the representative in their 60s who ordered the work, on suspicion of professional negligence causing a fire.
Police plan to conduct supplemental investigations based on the results of the joint on-site examination.
Two firefighters who responded to the scene died in the line of duty in the blaze. However, considering that the fire was caused by negligence, it may be difficult to prove a causal link between A's alleged offense and the firefighters' deaths in the line of duty.