21 Year-old Firefighter Dies Fighting Factory Fire
A young firefighter was found dead by colleagues after entering a factory on fire in Hsinchu County this afternoon. The firefighter was wearing breathing apparatus at the time, and the cause of death has not been established.
At around 2:00pm, 21 year-old Lin Yongxuan (林永軒) was on the third floor of the 7 floor factory with another firefighter and a member of staff of Solartech Energy Corp. According to media reports, Lin’s colleague left to replenish his air tank, and shortly after Lin and the factory staff member became separated.
At around 2:20pm another firefighter found Lin laying on the ground. When Lin was carried out of the building he had no vital signs. Lin was rushed to Catholic Mercy Hospital in Hukou Township, but declared dead after 30 minutes of resuscitation efforts failed.
Thirteen workers at the factory also suffered smoke inhalation injuries. The fire had broken out on the third floor production line shortly after noon.
Catholic Mercy Hospital told media that Lin had suffered smoke inhalation injuries but the exact cause of death was yet to be established. Coincidentally, Lin’s girlfriend works as a registered nurse at the hospital. When informed by colleagues, Ms Lu (呂) rushed to the emergency room where she was confronted with the tragic death of her partner. According to the spokesperson, the couple had mentioned plans to marry.
Lin, originally from Tainan had worked for the Hsinchu Fire Bureau for exactly one year as of yesterday, October 26. Lin had achieved intermediate level certification as emergency medical technician (ambulance technician), fire rescue, swift water rescue, lifeguard, heavy vehicle certification, mountain rescue, and disaster management.
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