Two Deceased Were Employees of External Repair Company
Fire at a Cosmetics Manufacturing Factory in Namdong Industrial Complex, Incheon [Photo by Incheon Fire Headquarters]
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire at a cosmetics manufacturing factory in Incheon that resulted in 12 casualties.
The Metropolitan Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 20th that they are questioning factory representatives and on-site employees to verify whether there was any negligence during the work process related to the cosmetics factory fire.
According to their statements, it is presumed that the fire broke out due to an explosion while mixing powdered sodium hypochlorite and agar (Umutgasari) using a stirrer, which are necessary for the disinfectant process. Sodium hypochlorite is known as a Class 1 fire and explosion hazard chemical.
An employee of the factory told the police, "We were developing a new (cosmetics) product," and added, "The explosion occurred while handling various chemicals."
Among the three deceased, two were confirmed to be external repair workers fixing a chemical mixing machine called a 'gyobangi' (stirrer). They had been called to the cosmetics factory after the stirrer malfunctioned, and were caught in the explosion and subsequent fire.
The police are investigating whether the factory employees properly followed relevant regulations while handling chemicals, and plan to conduct a joint on-site inspection with the fire department, the National Forensic Service, and the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation.
The fire broke out around 4:12 PM the previous day on the second floor of a cosmetics manufacturing factory in Namdong Industrial Complex, Incheon, resulting in the deaths of three men aged 20 to 50, including Mr. A (57), and injuries to nine people, including four firefighters.
All the deceased were found near a window on the second floor of the factory about 1 hour and 20 minutes after the fire started. Among the six injured, one woman in her 40s sustained serious injuries while evacuating.
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