A total of 15 high-performance chemical fire trucks mobilized nationwide
100 pieces of equipment and 355 personnel deployed for firefighting
On the morning of the 17th, a fire broke out at Kumho Tire's Gwangju factory in Songjeong-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, sending thick black smoke into the sky. Photo by Yonhap News
The National Fire Agency issued a nationwide firefighting mobilization order as the fire that broke out at Kumho Tire's Gwangju factory spread between the factory buildings.
The fire authorities responded to the fire, which started at approximately 7:11 a.m. on the 17th, by immediately declaring Response Level 1. They then escalated the response to Level 2 at around 7:59 a.m., and as of 10:00 a.m., transitioned to a nationwide firefighting mobilization order.
Authorities mobilized a total of 15 high-performance chemical fire trucks from across the country, including Daegu, North Jeolla, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla, and South Gyeongsang, due to the large quantities of flammable materials stored at the scene. Two large-capacity foam spraying systems were also deployed, with capacities of 45,000 liters and 30,000 liters, respectively.
So far, 100 pieces of equipment, including pump trucks, and 355 personnel have been deployed to extinguish the fire.
As a result of the fire, one factory employee sustained serious injuries, including fractures, and two firefighters are also receiving treatment for burns and other injuries.
It has been tentatively determined that the fire started when an unidentified spark occurred in a device used to preheat rubber within the mixing process, where raw rubber and chemicals?the main materials for tires?are combined. The fire is currently spreading through the densely packed factory buildings, and as of noon, 70% of the western factory?an area equivalent to five soccer fields?has been burned.
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