15% of Winter Fires in Gyeongbuk Due to 'Neglected Embers'... "Just Being Near the Burning Site"

Among 'negligent' fires, the proportion of unattended sparks, flames, and fire sources is 30%... Twice the national average

The kitchen of a farm in the Gyeongbuk area where a fire broke out due to neglecting embers.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongbuk Province announced on the 29th that an analysis of winter (December to February) fires since 2015 revealed that 700 cases, accounting for 15% of the total over five years, were caused by unattended flames or embers.

According to data independently investigated by the Gyeongbuk Fire Headquarters, there were 4,700 fire incidents over the past five years, resulting in 252 casualties (45 deaths, 207 injuries) and property damage worth over 52.2 billion KRW.

The location with the highest number of fires was residential facilities, with 1,481 cases (31.5%). This was followed by industrial facilities with 846 cases (18%) and vehicles, agricultural, and construction machinery with 593 cases (12.6%). Among residential facilities, detached houses accounted for the majority with 1,209 cases (81%).

By cause, fires due to negligence were the highest at 2,284 cases (48.6%). Electrical causes accounted for 879 cases (18.7%), unknown causes 697 cases (14.8%), and mechanical causes 623 cases (13.3%).

Among negligent fires, those caused by unattended embers, flames, or fire sources numbered 697 cases (30.5% of negligent fires), representing a significant 14.8% of all fire causes.

Gyeongbuk Province is paying attention to the fact that unattended embers, flames, or fire sources (hereafter referred to as unattended embers) account for 30.5% of negligent fires, which is twice the national average of 13.5%. This is interpreted as a result of the region's characteristics, with many rural and fishing villages and frequent burning of discarded agricultural machinery and agricultural products, leading to higher figures than the national average.

Nam Hwa-young, head of the Gyeongbuk Fire Headquarters, stated, "We will do our utmost to minimize damage by thoroughly implementing fire prevention measures so that residents can spend a safe and warm winter," and urged, "We also ask all residents to cultivate their own safety awareness."