Increase in 'Fire Caused by Negligence' in October... 2,254 Fires and 12 Deaths in October Over the Past 5 Years

Neglected Flowerbeds, Fires During Welding and Cutting Work on the Rise Since September

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters has urged caution in fire management caused by carelessness during October.

According to the city’s Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 7th, fires occurring in October over the past five years totaled 2,254 cases (an annual average of 450.8 cases), accounting for 8.0% of the total fires (28,266 cases) during the period. Casualties were recorded at 134 people, including 12 deaths.

By cause, fires due to carelessness accounted for 1,383 cases, representing 61.4% of all fires in October. In particular, among the detailed types of careless fires, fires caused by unattended heat sources and those occurring during welding and cutting temporarily decreased in summer but showed an increasing trend again in September and October.

By location, fires in factory facilities over the past five years numbered 27 cases, an increase of 12 cases (80%) compared to September, and fires in lodging facilities also increased to 22 cases, up 6 cases (37.5%) from September.

Meanwhile, from 2017 to 2021, there were 63,022 safety accident dispatches following 119 emergency calls in October. Especially in October, when autumn foliage is in full bloom, mountain safety accidents (876 cases) due to increased hikers occurred most frequently throughout the year.

Choi Tae-young, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, “In October, when autumn is in full swing, minor carelessness often leads to actual fires and safety accidents,” and added, “We ask for the interest and practice of all citizens to prevent fires and safety accidents.”