Taiwan firefighter dies after entering burning flat three times to rescue trapped woman
A veteran firefighter in Taiwan has died after repeatedly entering a burning residential unit in a final attempt to rescue a trapped woman, with investigators believing he removed his own oxygen mask to save her.
- A 41-year-old firefighter died after entering a burning apartment three times during a rescue operation in Keelung.
- He is believed to have given his oxygen mask to a trapped woman amid worsening smoke conditions.
- Heavy clutter inside the unit is suspected to have worsened the fire and hindered rescue efforts.
TAIWAN: A deadly fire broke out at around 10pm on Wednesday (21 January) in a residential unit on the second floor of a six-storey building along Leli 3rd Street in Keelung’s Anle District.
Local emergency services were alerted after reports that multiple residents were trapped inside the smoke-filled building. Firefighters were deployed to conduct search-and-rescue operations under hazardous conditions.
Firefighter Entered Burning Unit Repeatedly
The firefighter who later died was identified as 41-year-old Chan Neng-chieh, a squad leader with the Keelung City Fire Department’s Ren’ai branch.
As several residents were believed to be trapped, firefighters entered the unit in shifts, each equipped with oxygen cylinders. Mr Chan entered the apartment multiple times.
After emerging from the unit for the second time, he warned his colleagues about the extreme dangers inside, describing floor-to-ceiling piles of clothes and miscellaneous items that could collapse if touched.
In footage recorded shortly before his final entry, Mr Chan was heard giving detailed instructions on how to navigate the cluttered interior and cautioning teammates about obstacles behind doors.
Final Rescue Attempt and Tragic Outcome
After resting briefly and changing his air cylinder, Mr Chan re-entered the burning unit for a third time. He did not return.
Investigators said the apartment belonged to a 77-year-old woman surnamed Yu, who lived with her husband and their 34-year-old daughter, Ms Luo. The elderly couple managed to escape, but Ms Luo became trapped after debris collapsed around her.
At around 1am, Mr Chan located Ms Luo amid thick smoke. Investigators believe that as she struggled to breathe, he removed his own oxygen mask and placed it on her.
As smoke conditions deteriorated, Mr Chan inhaled excessive smoke and lost contact with his team.
Both Firefighter and Victim Pronounced Dead
Mr Chan was found at around 2am without a pulse and was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 5am.
Ms Luo was later found at about 5.30am, also without vital signs. She was sent to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
Four other individuals sustained injuries in the blaze.
Clutter Suspected to Have Worsened Fire
Authorities said the heavy accumulation of items inside the apartment may have contributed to the spread of the fire and severely hampered rescue efforts. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Mr Chan had served in the fire service for about 20 years and took part in numerous major rescue operations, including the 2015 TransAsia Airways crash, the 2018 Hualien earthquake building collapse, and the 2021 Hualien train derailment.
Colleagues described him as optimistic, warm, and always willing to help others. One coworker called him “everyone’s big teddy bear”, saying he brought comfort and laughter to the station.
In a Facebook post on Thursday (22 January), the Keelung City Fire Department paid tribute to him, writing:
“Squad leader, the mission is complete. May you rest in peace. We will remember that you sacrificed yourself to save others.”
Mr Chan is survived by his family, including his younger brother, who previously served alongside him in Keelung before transferring to the Taoyuan Fire Department last year.
