14 Killed in Blaze at South Korean Vehicle Parts Factory
Dozens were injured and 14 perished when fire ripped through a car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, Friday afternoon.
Firefighters found workers jumping from the three-story when they arrived, Fire Chief Nam Deuk-woo told the New York Times.
Crews were delayed entering the building due to concerns of collapse, The Guardian reported. Water was not immediately applied because of concerns of that materials in the building would explode.
Videos from the scene show helicopters dropping water on the large building, where most of the roof had collapsed.
Officials believe 170 workers were inside the building when the fire was discovered. Fifty-nine people were taken to the hospital.
One body was recovered on the second floor and several were located in a third-floor space that was said to be a locker room, according to NBC News..
Hundreds of firefighters and other public safety agencies responded to battle the blaze, which burned for nearly 24 hours.
Authorities said the factory manufacturered parts for Hyundai and Kia.
About the Author
Peter Matthews
Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director
Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood Landing, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department and currently is a photographer for the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department.