20 Tons of Raw Rubber Ignite and Spread
Partial Factory Collapse, One Employee Injured
Black smoke is rising into the sky due to a fire that occurred on the morning of the 17th at the Kumho Tire factory in Gwangsan District, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun
A large fire broke out at the Kumho Tire Gwangju factory on the morning of the 17th, and firefighting efforts have been ongoing for an extended period. Fire authorities believe it could take several days to fully extinguish the blaze, given the characteristics and structure of the rubber materials stored inside the factory.
According to the city of Gwangju and the Gwangju Fire Department, the fire started at around 7:11 a.m. that day in the refining process building of the Kumho Tire Gwangju factory, located on Eodeung-daero in Gwangsan District. The fire is believed to have originated in an area where approximately 20 tons of raw rubber, used as a tire material, were stored.
Because rubber is highly flammable and burns for a long time, firefighters are facing significant challenges in controlling the blaze. Authorities have determined that the fire can only be completely extinguished once all the materials stored in the factory have been burned. A total of 167 personnel and 65 pieces of equipment, including firefighting helicopters, have been deployed to the scene. In addition, a large-capacity spraying system, supported by the Central Special Rescue Unit, is in operation. This equipment can spray up to 45,000 liters of water per minute.
With large amounts of toxic gas and dust being generated at the scene, the city of Gwangju has provided 8,500 masks to nearby residents for their protection. Authorities have also asked residents in the area to temporarily refrain from using tap water to prevent a shortage of firefighting water.
As a result of the fire, a male employee in his 20s who was inside the factory suffered a leg fracture while fleeing from the smoke. He was rescued about 40 minutes later and transported to a hospital. Fortunately, his injuries are not life-threatening.
At the scene, about three hours after the fire broke out, part of the initial ignition building collapsed at around 10:30 a.m., followed by a second collapse at approximately 10:46 a.m. All firefighters who had entered the building withdrew after a certain period, and no additional casualties have been confirmed as of now.
The second process building, located next to the refining process building, is constructed with sandwich panels, making it difficult to spray water from outside. Fire authorities are attempting to enter the interior by removing the roof with excavators.
Authorities plan to investigate the exact ignition point, cause, and extent of the damage as soon as the fire is brought under control. A fire department official stated, "Considering the scale of the fire and the structural characteristics of the building, it may take three to seven days to achieve complete extinguishment."
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