The main fire at the Kumho Tire Gwangju plant has been brought under control after nearly a full day.
Fire authorities announced that as of 2:50 p.m. on May 18, the initial suppression of the blaze had been completed.
The fire began at 7:11 p.m. the previous day, and the main flames were extinguished after approximately 31 hours and 40 minutes.
According to fire officials, the containment rate is currently between 90% and 95%, and it is expected that full extinguishment will be achieved within about one hour and 30 minutes from the time the main fire was brought under control.
As a result, the temporary nationwide fire mobilization order has been lifted, and the response level has been lowered to Level 1. Level 1 response indicates an alert status in which all personnel from the local fire station are dispatched.
The fire broke out at Plant 2, located on the west side of the Kumho Tire Gwangju facility. It is currently estimated that about 50% to 60% of the plant area has been burned. The blaze is believed to have started when an unidentified spark ignited in an industrial oven used to preheat raw rubber during the compounding process in Plant 2.
Due to the fire, Kumho Tire has completely halted production at the Gwangju plant. In addition, 132 residents from 71 households in four nearby apartment complexes are currently staying at a shelter set up in the gymnasium of Gwangju Women's University.
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