Gyeonggi-do Sees Fire Incidents Decrease for 2 Consecutive Years... Slight Increase in Casualties and Property Damage

Fires in Gyeonggi Province have decreased for two consecutive years.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 13th that the number of fires in Gyeonggi Province last year was 7,931, a 3.3% (271 cases) decrease compared to the previous year. Fires in the province have been declining for two consecutive years, with 8,604 cases in 2022 and 8,202 cases in 2023.

However, due to large-scale fires such as the Hwaseong primary battery manufacturing plant fire and the Bucheon hotel fire, casualties and property damage increased by 4.2% (23 people) and 17.4% (51.2 billion KRW), respectively, compared to the previous year.

Fire Suppression

When looking at fire incidents by cause, negligence accounted for the largest portion with 3,105 cases, representing 39.2% of the total. This was followed by electrical causes (33.9%), mechanical causes (12.5%), unknown causes (4.7%), and chemical causes (4.2%).

In particular, the issuance of response stages involving mobilization of personnel and equipment from one or nearby fire stations increased significantly for two consecutive years, with 56 cases in 2022, 111 cases in 2023, and 249 cases in 2024.

Kim Jaebyeong, head of the Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "The decrease in the number of fire incidents for two consecutive years is the result of Gyeonggi Fire's professional and proactive response." He added, "Especially this year, we will strengthen special fire response training to minimize damage from large fires and do our best to protect the safety of residents in a diversified environment."