Property Damage from Fires in Northern Gyeonggi Last Year Decreased by 18% Compared to the Previous Year

Fire Incidents Increase by 4.6% with 2 Fewer Deaths... 88% of Fatalities Occur in Residential Facilities

[Photo by Gyeonggi-do Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Youngcheol] Last year, property damage caused by fires in the northern Gyeonggi region decreased by 18% compared to the previous year, while casualties were highest in residential facilities.

The Northern Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 19th the "2022 Fire Statistics for the Northern Gyeonggi Region," stating, "In 2022, a total of 2,484 fires occurred in northern Gyeonggi, a slight increase of 4.6% from 2,374 cases in the previous year."

The scale of casualties also increased by 10.5% to 169 people last year (17 deaths, 152 injuries) compared to the previous year. This is a slight increase amid a nationwide fire increase rate of about 10.6%. Although the total number of casualties increased by 16 compared to the previous year, the number of deaths actually decreased by 2.

While the number of fires slightly increased, property damage amounted to 133.9 billion KRW, a decrease of 29.3 billion KRW (18%) compared to the previous year.

The Fire and Disaster Headquarters analyzed that the increase in fires and casualties was due to a combination of human and environmental factors, including increased population movement following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and dry weather conditions.

Wildfire incidents increased by 105% from the previous year, recording 113 cases. Casualties from vehicle fires also increased significantly by more than 150% compared to the previous year. However, among the total 17 deaths, 15 (88.2%) occurred in residential facilities.

The causes of ignition were ▲carelessness 1,040 cases (41.9%) ▲electrical factors 791 cases (31.8%) ▲mechanical factors 336 cases (13.5%), in that order.

In particular, examining the detailed causes of the most frequent "carelessness fires," cigarette butts accounted for the largest number at 406 cases (39%). This was followed by unattended fire sources at 166 cases (16%) and cooking-related fires at 86 cases (8.3%), which made up the majority of carelessness fires.

Head of Headquarters Go Deokgeun said, "Since most fire-related deaths occurred in residential facilities, it is necessary to further expand the mandatory installation rate of residential fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and neighbors’ continuous attention and efforts are needed for households of socially vulnerable groups who have difficulty evacuating."