A fire broke out at Kumho Tire Gwangju Plant, and the fire department is currently extinguishing it. Photo by Yonhap News
A fire broke out at the Kumho Tire Gwangju Plant, and it has been reported that there have also been casualties.
According to the fire department and other sources, the fire occurred at around 7:11 a.m. on May 17 at the Kumho Tire Gwangju Plant located in Sochon-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju.
Initially, the fire department issued Response Level 1, mobilizing all personnel from the local fire station. However, as they determined that extinguishing the fire would be difficult, they escalated to Response Level 2, mobilizing fire personnel from across the entire Gwangju area.
At first, it was reported that there were no casualties. However, during the firefighting process, it was later reported that one worker became trapped at the scene and is currently being rescued.
The fire is believed to have started in the process where rubber, used as a tire material, is stored and steamed using electricity. The location of the fire is presumed to be the rubber storage facility within the plant.
The police and fire department plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire once the flames are brought under control.
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