As wildfire damage spreads nationwide, flammable materials have been found scattered near the summit of Taeheng Mountain in Hwaseong's Bibong-myeon, leading police to launch an investigation.

The scene shows flammable materials spread on the deck at the summit of Taehaeng Mountain in Hwaseong City. /Courtesy of Gyeonggi Province Fire and Disaster Headquarters
The scene shows flammable materials spread on the deck at the summit of Taehaeng Mountain in Hwaseong City. /Courtesy of Gyeonggi Province Fire and Disaster Headquarters

According to Hwaseong Western Police Station on the 27th, a report was received at around 2:09 p.m. that "a mysterious oil drum and liquid were scattered on the deck at the summit of Taeheng Mountain."

Police confirmed the presence of a substance believed to be waste oil scattered in various spots on the summit deck after being dispatched to the scene following a request for cooperation from firefighting authorities. An oil drum that is presumed to have contained the substance was also found at the scene.

Police have secured statements from hikers indicating that "the substance had been scattered for several days," and they are tracking the suspect while ensuring safety measures at the scene.