In connection with a fire at a cold storage warehouse in Wando, South Jeolla Province, that killed two firefighters in the line of duty, the head of the contractor that ordered the work has been handed over to prosecutors in custody.
Wando Police Station in South Jeolla Province said on the 6th that it referred A, a contractor in his 60s, to prosecutors under arrest on charges of professional negligence causing fire, aiding a suspect's escape, and violating the Immigration Act.
According to police, on the morning of Apr. 12, A is accused of ordering B, a Chinese migrant worker in his 30s, to remove floor paint (epoxy) using a heat source at a cold storage warehouse of a seafood processing company in Gunoe-myeon, Wando County, and failing to fulfill safety management duties.
A is also accused of helping B flee right after the fire out of concern that his employment of B, an undocumented immigrant, would be exposed. B fled the fire scene by car but was caught by police in Mokpo.
A police investigation found that A ordered B to remove the flooring without fire safety equipment placement or safety training, left the site, and neglected the work.
The fire is believed to have started when sparks flew to the wall finishing materials as B used an LPG gas torch to heat and remove epoxy. B was sent to prosecutors under arrest on the 21st of last month on charges of professional negligence causing fire and violating the Immigration Act.
Police believe a "flashover" occurred when epoxy and urethane vapors accumulated on the ceiling and walls inside the warehouse exploded in an instant, trapping the firefighters, and plan to notify the joint fire investigation team of the findings.