A fire explosion occurred at a cosmetics raw material manufacturing factory in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province. Three people were injured, and one is missing.
According to the fire authorities, at around 12:42 p.m. on the 3rd, a report of a hazardous material explosion fire was received from the cosmetics raw material manufacturing factory located in the Chaesin Industrial Complex in Guam-ri, Guemho-eup, Yeongcheon.
Police stated that one factory official was seriously injured, and two sustained minor injuries and were transported to the hospital. They also reported that another factory official is uncontactable.
The explosion resulted in damage, including shattered glass at a convenience store about 300 meters away from the factory and shaking windows in nearby apartments.
The fire department issued a level 1 response, mobilizing all personnel from the relevant fire station about 16 minutes after the report was received, around 1 p.m.
As of 3 p.m. that day, it was reported that the interior of the factory was filled with strong flames and corrosive fumes, making it difficult for firefighters to enter. Accordingly, firefighting efforts were primarily conducted by helicopters.
According to the fire department, there are several buildings in the vicinity, including dormitories, and the flames are spreading. The factory where the incident occurred has been identified as a place that manufactures cosmetics raw materials, including hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing liquid that can cause fires or explosions when heated or in contact with metal catalysts. The diluted solution is commonly used as a disinfectant in daily life.
A fire department official noted, "A report of an explosion has been received from a factory handling chemical substances, and the exact cause of the fire is being investigated."
Yeongcheon City sent a safety text message to nearby residents, advising them to evacuate to the Nambu-dong Administrative Welfare Center or Guemho Gymnasium since hazardous materials exploded at the factory.