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Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine 2001;12(3): 338-344. |
| Injuries and Their Complications after Urban Area Fires: The Dong-Incheon Live-Hof Restaurant Fire |
| Jung Ho Shin, Jae Kwang Kim, Suk Lan Yeom, Jong Hwan Shin, Sun Sik Min, Yong Su Lim, Hyuk Jun Yang, Keun Lee, Sung Yeun Hwang |
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Gachon Medical College, Korea. yanghj@ghil.com
2Department of Emergency Medicine, Masan Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Korea. |
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| ABSTRACT |
BACKGROUND: High risks of fire alway exist for buildings in urban areas, especially those in downtown. Crowds, as well as more complex and larger structures, may cause more victims in the event of fire; therefore, emergency medical service plans must be established for such disastrous events.
METHODS:
On the evening of October 30, 1999, a fire broke out in downtown, Dong-Incheon Live-Hof restaurant; 56 people were killed and 76 were injured. Most of them were teenagers. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the victims.
RESULTS:
1) Among the 56 dead, 54 died from smoke inhalation, one from extensive burns, and one from sepsis during treatment. 2) Among the 76 injured, 70 patients suffered from smoke inhalation, 53 from burns, and 9 from several types of trauma (sprains, contusions, lacerations, abrasions, fractures, etc.). 3) Later complications were laryngeal edema, pulmonary edema, scar contracture, and hypoxic brain damage, and so forth. 4) Post traumatic stress syndrome was unexpectedly more prevalent in mildly to moderately injured survivors and witnesses than in seriously injured survivors.
CONCLUSION:
Many complications exist after a fire. Some may be resolved in time, but others may result in permanent sequelae. Early rescue, early triage, and early management during transport by emergency medical service (EMS) personnel can result in fewer complications and a lower mortality rate. Therefore, we propose the establishment of plans to be followed during various major disasters. |
| Key words:
Emergency medical service, Smoke inhalation, Disaster |
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