At about 1:17 p.m. on the 20th, a fire broke out at an auto parts factory in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok District, Daejeon.
As of 3 p.m. the same day, 44 people were counted as injured in the fire. Twenty were seriously injured and 24 had minor injuries. Because there may be missing people remaining inside the building, the number of casualties could rise.
Starting at 1:31 p.m. the same day, fire authorities issued a level-2 fire response, deploying 219 personnel, including firefighters, and 90 pieces of equipment to bring the flames under control. However, the fire is spreading to surrounding areas.
The National Fire Agency issued a national firefighting mobilization order at 1:53 p.m. the same day. Fire headquarters in South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong and Sejong also provided firefighting equipment, and two unmanned firefighting robots and a high-capacity foam discharge system were moved.
Through an emergency disaster text, Daedeok District Office said, "A fire accident occurred at 43-5 Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok District, Daejeon," and added, "Residents nearby should move far from the scene, and vehicles should take detours."
Fire authorities plan to begin searching the interior of the building as soon as the flames are extinguished. They also plan to investigate the exact extent of the damage and the cause of the fire.