The damage site burned by a fire that started from the air conditioner unit. /Courtesy of Seoul City

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 10th that 26.2% of fires caused by electrical factors occur in July and August each year.

According to the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, there were a total of 7,036 fires caused by electrical factors in the last five years from 2020 to last year. Monthly, July (924 cases) and August (919 cases) had the highest numbers. Their share of the total was 13% each, with only July and August exceeding double digits.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government stated, "While the number of fires that occurred in July and August is less than in winter, those caused by electrical factors make up a significant portion," and emphasized that "thorough safety management for cooling appliances is necessary."

Among fires caused by cooling appliances, electrical factors were mainly identified as the cause due to poor contact leading to short circuits, degradation of insulation performance of wires, overheating, and overload.

Kwon Hyuk-min, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, noted that "the cause of a recent house fire in the area is suspected to be due to an old multi-plug connected to a cooling device" and urged adherence to safety rules such as "checking multi-plugs for cooling devices, refraining from using spider-like outlets, and removing combustible materials around air conditioner outdoor units."

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