Smoke Continues as Eumseong Factory Fire Reaches 90% Containment

Yonhap News Agency

The large-scale fire that broke out at a household goods manufacturing plant in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong Province, was brought largely under control after overnight firefighting efforts. However, as of now, the whereabouts of one of the two missing foreign workers remain unknown.

As of the morning of January 31, firefighting authorities are maintaining Level 2 emergency response, simultaneously working to extinguish the fire and search for missing persons.

The site bore the scars of the overnight firefighting operation. Exterior panels, melted and torn by the flames, hung limply, and the internal steel framework was exposed in many areas. Some buildings had steel beams warped like taffy, and collapsed roofs revealed the interiors. Blackened windows were shattered, and overall, the scene resembled the aftermath of a bombing.

The fire containment rate has reached 90 percent, but as of 11 a.m. on this day, smoke was still rising from various parts of the factory. Firefighters continued working to eliminate remaining embers around the building.

At the same time, the search for the missing workers is ongoing. Of the 83 people present at the factory at the time of the fire, 81 managed to evacuate, but the whereabouts of a Nepalese worker in his 20s and a Kazakhstani worker in his 50s have not been confirmed.

After the flames were somewhat subdued, a full-scale search began, and at around 12:39 a.m. on this day, one person was found dead near the stairs on the second floor of the factory building. Fire authorities believe the body is likely one of the two missing foreign workers, and it was reportedly discovered during the process of clearing debris.

The authorities transported the body to Geumwang Funeral Hall in Eumseong, and the police have requested forensic analysis from the National Forensic Service to confirm the victim's identity.

The fire site remains difficult to access due to the collapse of steel structures and parts of the building caused by excessive heat. Fire officials explained that, given the building's structure, there are sections where it is difficult to spray water directly, so heavy equipment such as excavators is being used to remove raw materials and debris while continuing both firefighting and search operations.

A fire department official stated, "There were difficulties in conducting searches at night due to concerns about structural collapse, but with the fire now nearly 90 percent contained, the search for the remaining missing person is expected to accelerate."

The factory where the fire broke out is a household goods manufacturer producing items such as wet wipes and diapers. Preliminary assessments indicate that three out of the factory's five buildings, which cover a total area of about 24,000 square meters, were damaged by the fire.

At one point, embers carried by the wind spread to a wooded hill about 500 meters away, burning approximately 1,000 square meters, and three nearby factory buildings also reportedly sustained partial damage.

The factory is known not to handle hazardous chemicals. Fire authorities believe the rapid spread of the fire was due to the sandwich panel structure of the building and the large quantities of flammable pulp stored inside. They plan to investigate the company to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the fire.