Fire Reported in Stairwell of High-Rise Apartment in Gwangyang City...Guiding Safe Evacuation
A fire broke out in the stairwell of a high-rise apartment in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, where a 6-month-old baby and a woman evacuated using a lightweight partition installed on the balcony, preventing casualties. Photo by Jeonnam Fire Headquarters
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The quick situational judgment of the 119 emergency call center personnel prevented casualties.
According to the Jeonnam Fire Headquarters on the 23rd, a fire was reported around 2:21 PM at a high-rise apartment in Jungma-dong, Gwangyang-si, Jeonnam.
The 119 emergency call center personnel who received the report calmed a distressed woman and guided her to escape through the lightweight partition on the balcony.
Following this, the woman evacuated to the neighboring unit with her 6-month-old baby, avoiding what could have been a dangerous situation.
The fire, which started in the stair landing (a wide area in the middle of the stairs), was completely extinguished by the responding 119 team within 36 minutes. One management office staff member was transported to the hospital due to smoke inhalation, and no other casualties occurred.
The fire department is investigating the exact cause of the fire.
Meanwhile, since 1992, according to the Housing Construction Standards Regulations, lightweight partitions are mandatorily installed on balconies of apartment buildings from the third floor and above.
Lightweight partitions are made of thin gypsum board about 9mm thick, which can be easily broken with a kick, and some buildings have emergency exit signs either self-made or distributed by local governments.
However, most apartment residents are unaware of this purpose and install fixed cabinets, items, or other obstacles, making it impossible to escape in an emergency, and some are not even aware of the partition's existence.
Therefore, the Jeonnam Fire Department conducts annual promotional activities to raise awareness about lightweight partitions among residents.
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