A fire at the Kumho Tire factory in Gwangju is spreading between the densely packed factory buildings, causing difficulties in extinguishing it. Two firefighters were injured during the firefighting efforts. In response, the National Fire Agency issued a national firefighting mobilization order.
According to firefighters on the 17th, the fire at the Kumho Tire factory in Gwangju is spreading through the interior of the densely packed factory buildings. As of noon, 70% of the west factory, equivalent to five soccer fields, has been burned.
The flames are reported to have soared up to 100 meters in height, spreading through the internal passages.
Authorities attempted to separate the burning area from surrounding factories to prevent the fire from spreading, but the machines in each area are connected, making it impossible to cut them off.
As a result of the fire, one factory worker suffered a fracture. Additionally, two firefighters engaged in firefighting efforts were injured. One sustained second-degree burns on the face and was transported, while the other received treatment on-site for abrasions on the head.
Firefighters conducting suppression efforts inside were also withdrawn. Authorities determined that heavy machinery was installed in a building weakened by the fierce flames, raising concerns that the building might collapse. It is expected that the entire west factory will burn as extinguishing the fire is proving difficult.
The fire broke out at the Kumho Tire factory in Gwangju's Gwangsan District at around 7:11 a.m. It is reported that 20 tons of natural rubber, a raw material for tires, were stored at the facility, where the refining process that mixes natural rubber with chemicals is conducted.
The fire authorities issued a level 1 firefighting response at 7:28 a.m. that day, followed by an upgrade to level 2 at 7:59 a.m. Later, at 10 a.m., it was switched to a national firefighting mobilization order. They mobilized a large-scale foam spraying system with a capacity of 45,000 liters and dispatched an additional system with a capacity of 30,000 liters. Currently, eight firefighting helicopters are also deployed at the scene.