"Explosion sounds were heard repeatedly during the fire"
On the morning of the 22nd, the forensic investigation team of the Chungbuk Provincial Police Agency headed to the fire site at the Cheongju EcoPro BM factory for an on-site inspection. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] An on-site investigation was conducted to determine the cause of a fire at the EcoPro BM factory in Cheongju, Chungbuk, which resulted in the death of one employee and injuries to three others.
Police, fire authorities, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor carried out the on-site investigation at around 9:30 a.m. on the 22nd at the EcoPro BM factory in Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju. An official joint investigation involving the National Forensic Service is scheduled for the 24th.
The police and fire officials focused primarily on the boiler room on the 4th floor, which is presumed to be the initial ignition point. Currently, the investigation is leaning toward a vapor explosion inside the boiler room. According to witness statements, a series of explosions were heard during the fire.
The fire broke out around 3 p.m. the previous day. About 30 employees inside the building evacuated safely, but four employees, including a man in his 30s, were unable to escape in time. Among them, one person died, and another was seriously injured after jumping outside the building. The remaining two were rescued by firefighters.
The police plan to thoroughly investigate the exact cause of the fire and comprehensively check whether safety management regulations were followed within the factory.
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