Geoje Scrapyard Fire Extinguished After 4 Hours ... One Building and Five Forklifts Completely Destroyed

Fire scene at a scrapyard in Jangpyeong-dong, Geoje City, Gyeongnam Province. Photo by Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters

At around 7:52 a.m. on January 12, a fire broke out at a scrapyard in Jangpyeong-dong, Geoje City, Gyeongnam Province, and was completely extinguished after approximately four hours.

The fire completely destroyed one scrapyard building, and burned automotive parts stored inside, five forklifts, four trucks, and other automotive parts within the factory.

According to fire department estimates, the property damage amounts to about 50 million won, but there were no casualties.

The responding fire authorities deployed 79 personnel-including 36 firefighters, 8 volunteer firefighters, 20 members of the wildfire suppression team, 13 police officers, and 2 Korea Electric Power Corporation staff-as well as 20 pieces of equipment such as pump trucks, water tankers, ladder trucks, and heavy machinery. The fire was brought under control by 11:57 a.m. that day.

At around 8:17 a.m. on the same day, the Geoje City government sent an emergency text message stating, "At around 7:50 a.m. today, a fire broke out at a scrapyard in Jangpyeong-dong, causing large amounts of smoke," and urged residents to "refrain from approaching the area due to concerns about the fire spreading."

The police and fire authorities plan to conduct an on-site inspection to determine the exact cause of the fire.