Fire authorities issue Response Level 1
About 70 firefighters mobilized for firefighting operations
Three smoke inhalation patients transported to nearby hospitals
A fire broke out at the SPC Samlip Siwha Plant. So far, three people have been confirmed injured, and the likelihood of additional casualties is believed to be low.
According to the Gyeonggi Province Fire and Disaster Headquarters and others, the fire occurred at around 2:59 p.m. on the 3rd at the SPC Samlip Siwha Plant located in Jeongwang-dong, Siheung.
Due to this fire, three workers, including a woman in her 40s identified as A, received treatment for smoke inhalation. Another worker was isolated on the rooftop but was rescued by fire authorities. There were no other injuries, and the number of people who evacuated on their own has not yet been determined.
The police and fire authorities are continuing to search for people, as there may be other workers in the vicinity of the fire scene. However, they currently assess that the possibility of additional casualties is low.
At a press briefing held on-site in the afternoon of the same day, Kim Seokchae, Head of Fire Prevention at the Siheung Fire Station, said, "There are three casualties from the fire, all of them with minor smoke inhalation," adding, "They have been transported separately to Siwha Hospital and Ansan Korea University Hospital." Regarding the possibility of additional casualties, he explained, "As of now, there is no such possibility."
The fire is believed to have started on the bread production line in Production Building R, which is a building with one basement level and four above-ground floors. At the scene, 12 daytime workers were on duty. The total number of people who worked at the plant today was 544.
After receiving a report from a plant official that a fire had broken out, fire authorities issued Response Level 1 at 3:06 p.m. that afternoon. They have deployed about 50 pieces of equipment, including pump trucks, and about 130 firefighters to carry out firefighting operations.
A fire official said, "To minimize damage, we have additionally dispatched special equipment, including a fire helicopter and an unmanned demolition water cannon vehicle," adding, "The flames are still intense, so it is expected to take some time before the fire is completely extinguished." Once the fire is fully put out, the police and fire authorities plan to examine the exact extent of the damage and the cause of the fire.
The SPC Samlip Siwha Plant has a total floor area of 71,737 square meters. It consists of seven reinforced-concrete buildings. In May last year, a fatal accident occurred here in which a worker was caught in a cream bread production line. The police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor are currently investigating the case on charges including violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and occupational negligence resulting in death.
An SPC Samlip official said, "We have currently suspended all plant operations," adding, "We are doing our best to assist the fire authorities in extinguishing the fire and stabilizing the site." The official also said, "We will actively cooperate with the relevant authorities' investigation to quickly determine the circumstances and cause of the fire."
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