Fire at S-Oil Plant in Ulsan... Initial Extinguishing Achieved After 3 Hours

A fire broke out on the morning of the 28th at the S-Oil Onsan Plant in Ulju-gun, Ulsan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

A fire broke out at the S-Oil Onsan Plant on the 28th, but the major flames were contained in about three hours.

According to the fire authorities, the fire occurred at around 4:47 a.m. at the S-Oil Onsan Plant in Ulju-gun, Ulsan. The fire department initially issued a Level 1 response alert (mobilizing 31 to 50 pieces of equipment from 3 to 7 fire stations) and then escalated it to Level 2 response (mobilizing 51 to 80 pieces of equipment from 8 to 14 fire stations) around 5:20 a.m. to carry out firefighting operations. The fire was brought under initial control at around 7:43 a.m.

The fire authorities are currently continuing the remaining firefighting efforts and monitoring for any possibility of additional fires.

Since all the xylene and other substances inside the petrochemical product production process piping where the fire occurred must be completely consumed for the fire to be extinguished, it is expected to take some time to fully suppress the fire.

A representative from the Ulsan Fire Headquarters said, "We are doing our best to prevent any additional risk factors from arising."

So far, no casualties have been reported.