115 Damage Reports Filed in Gwangsan District...
Health Concerns Grow
"Powder Accumulates on Window Frames, and the Odor Won't Go Away"
Environmental Groups: "Hazardous Substances... Citywide Investigation Needed"
"Even when I wear two masks, the smoke still comes right through. My throat is extremely sore and I keep coughing."
On the morning of the 19th, the third day since the fire at the Kumho Tire factory in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, nearby residents are still enduring their daily lives amid lingering smoke, dust, and odors.
On the morning of the 19th, the third day since the fire at Kumho Tire factory in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, the exterior walls of the building are blackened, and the interior steel framework has collapsed with debris piled up. Smoke is still rising, and access to the site is restricted. Photo by Song Bohyun
A resident who has lived in the area for over 20 years said, "I've never experienced such a large fire in my life," and added, "I saw the flames rising from my window, and my throat has been hurting continuously since that day."
Another resident said, "Black powder keeps accumulating on the window frames of my balcony. No matter how much I wipe it, it just comes back." The resident also complained, "Because of the burning smell, I haven't been able to open my windows for several days."
As of 11 a.m. on the 19th, a total of 115 damage reports (53 personal, 32 property, and 30 other) had been filed with Gwangsan District. Beginning that day, Gwangsan District started operating a damage reception center on the first floor of the Songjeong Health Center. Reports can be filed daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the 28th. On the same day, the temporary shelter at the Gwangju Women's University gymnasium was dismantled.
On the 19th, a notice regarding fire damage was posted on the entrance door of an apartment near the Kumho Tire factory in Gwangsan District, Gwangju. Kumho Tire and Gwangsan District are conducting an investigation at the Songjeong Health Center until the 28th to assess the extent of residents' damage. The notice includes the investigation schedule and a preview of the procedures related to damage compensation. Photo by Song Bohyun
Regarding this, Park Byungkyu, head of Gwangsan District, stated, "We are deploying local officials and district office staff to assess the damage on site, and we are discussing compensation measures together with Kumho Tire."
The problem is that damage continues to occur in ways that are not immediately visible. Most of the residents are elderly, and while symptoms may currently be limited to simple coughing or irritation, there are growing concerns about what long-term health effects may emerge.
One resident said, "Can this really be the end of it, just because the fire is out?" and added, "The smoke is one thing, but I wish someone would explain just how harmful the substances released from burning tires are."
On the 19th, the third day since the fire at Kumho Tire's Gwangju factory, officials from the National Forensic Service, police, and fire department are investigating the fire site at Kumho Tire Plant 2 in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News
Some residents recalled the 2023 fire at the Hankook Tire factory in Daejeon. At that time, 210,000 tires burned over 58 hours, and a study by Chungnam National University found an increase in respiratory diseases, migraines, and skin conditions among residents in nearby areas.
In response, a representative from a local environmental group stated, "Tire fires contain hazardous substances such as benzene, dioxins, and heavy metals," and stressed, "It is urgent to conduct air pollution monitoring and epidemiological investigations across all of Gwangju."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
