Daejeon Fire Department: "210,000 Tires Completely Burned in Fire at Hankook Tire Daejeon Plant"

The number of tires completely destroyed by the fire at the Hankook Tire Daejeon Plant was finally confirmed to be 210,000, not the initially reported 400,000.

Smoke is rising from a fire that broke out on the night of the 12th at the Hankook Tire factory in Moksang-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 13th, Kang Wi-young, chief of the Daejeon Daedeok Fire Station, stated in a briefing, “We blocked the flames from spreading to the 2nd logistics warehouse adjacent to the northern 2nd factory, so the 200,000 tires stored in the 2nd logistics warehouse were not burned,” and added, “It has been confirmed that only the 210,000 tires stacked in the 3rd logistics warehouse were completely destroyed in this fire.”

He also reported, “Currently, excavators and other equipment are being used inside the 3rd logistics warehouse to remove debris and extinguish remaining flames,” and “Due to the large amount of debris and smoldering left by the fire, it is expected to take considerable time to fully extinguish all embers.”

Separately from Chief Kang’s briefing, Hankook Tire announced that it has suspended operations of the entire Daejeon Plant, including the 2nd factory, due to the fire’s impact. The date for resuming production is undecided.

Meanwhile, the fire broke out at 10:09 p.m. the previous day at the Hankook Tire Daejeon Plant in Moksang-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. Fire authorities estimate that the initial ignition occurred in a machine within the curing process that shapes the tires.

As a result of the fire, 11 people, including 10 on-site workers and 1 firefighter, sustained minor injuries (such as simple smoke inhalation) and were transported to hospitals.

The fire completely destroyed approximately 87,000 square meters inside the northern 2nd factory of the Daejeon Plant. In particular, the large quantity of burning tires caused a pungent smell and thick black smoke, prompting nearby residents to evacuate to shelters such as the Daedeok Cultural and Sports Center (an evacuation center set up by Daedeok-gu).

On that day, three schools adjacent to the plant (middle and high schools) either closed or switched to remote classes at their discretion.

The fire authorities completed initial extinguishing around 11 a.m. on the 13th, about 13 hours after the fire started, and are currently working on extinguishing remaining embers.