1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson discusses a tragic fire incident that occurred in an apartment complex in Gwangmyeong, South Korea, which resulted in significant loss of life. The article examines the events leading up to the fire and the concerns raised by the fire department about the building’s safety features.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 층 | cheung | floor | The fire started on the 1st floor parking lot and spread to the 2nd floor. |
| 인명 | inmyeong | human life | The fire resulted in a total of 65 casualties, including 3 fatalities. |
| 화재 | hwaje | fire | The fire department responded to the fire at the apartment complex in Gwangmyeong. |
| 발생 | balsaeng | to occur | The fire broke out in the 1st floor parking lot of the apartment building. |
| 한다 | handa | to do | The fire department had previously identified the 1st floor parking lot as a vulnerable area for fire incidents. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
지난 17일 소방당국은 경기 광명시 소하동 아파트 화재 신고를 접수받은 후 4분 만에 현장에 도착했다. 하지만 결과는 3명 사망, 중상자 16명을 포함한 총 65명의 사상자 발생이었다.
The fire department received the fire report from the apartment complex in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, and arrived at the scene within 4 minutes. However, the outcome was tragic, with 3 fatalities and a total of 65 casualties, including 16 seriously injured individuals.
화재는 1층 필로티 주차장에서 시작되었고, 바로 위인 2층 거주자가 피해자였다. 다른 사망자 2명도 각각 계단참, 지하주차장에서 발견됐다.
The fire started in the 1st floor parking lot, and the victim was a resident living on the 2nd floor directly above the parking lot. The other two fatalities were found in the stairwell and the underground parking lot.
광명소방서는 2년 전 해당 아파트를 조사하며 1층 지상주차장을 취약장소로 지목했다. 화재 발생 시 피난통로가 제한적이라는 우려를 표했다. 소방당국은 “주계단을 이용해 옥상·피난층으로 인명 피난 및 구조 가능”이라고 대응책을 제시했다.
Two years ago, the Gwangmyeong Fire Department had inspected the apartment complex and identified the 1st floor parking lot as a vulnerable area. They expressed concerns that the evacuation routes would be limited in the event of a fire. The fire department suggested that people could evacuate to the rooftop or refuge floors using the main stairwell as a response measure.
그러나 이번 화재에서는 많은 사상자가 발생했다. 소방당국의 우려가 적중했지만, 실제 대응은 충분하지 않았던 것으로 보인다.
However, the recent fire resulted in a significant number of casualties. The fire department’s concerns proved to be accurate, but their response measures appear to have been insufficient.
화재 발생 당시 소방대원들은 신속하게 현장에 도착했지만, 많은 인명피해를 막지 못했다. 화재 예방과 대응 체계에 대한 재검토가 필요할 것으로 보인다.
The firefighters arrived at the scene promptly when the fire broke out, but they were unable to prevent the large number of casualties. It seems that a re-evaluation of the fire prevention and response systems is necessary.
이번 사고를 계기로 아파트 화재 안전 대책 마련이 시급한 과제로 떠오르고 있다. 관계 기관들은 화재 위험 요소를 면밀히 파악하고, 효과적인 대응 방안을 마련해야 할 것이다.
This incident has highlighted the urgent need to establish comprehensive safety measures for apartment fires. Relevant authorities must thoroughly identify fire hazards and develop effective response strategies.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- Where did the fire start in the apartment building?
- How many casualties were there in total, including fatalities and seriously injured individuals?
- What concerns had the fire department expressed about the apartment building two years prior to the incident?
- What was the fire department’s suggested response measure in the event of a fire?
- Why does the article suggest that a re-evaluation of the fire prevention and response systems is necessary?
5. Cultural and historical notes
Apartment fires are a significant concern in South Korea, where a large portion of the population resides in high-density urban apartment complexes. The tragic incident in Gwangmyeong highlights the importance of stringent fire safety regulations and effective emergency response protocols to protect the lives of residents. This event has prompted renewed discussions about the need for comprehensive fire safety measures in apartment buildings across the country.