Cutting oil was cited as one of the factors that spread the fire at the Anjeon Industrial automobile manufacturing plant in Daedeok District, Daejeon, which left more than 70 casualties. Cutting oil is a lubricant used in metal machining, and because it has a low flash point, it ignites easily when exposed to sparks or high heat.
Through a briefing on the 21st, the Daejeon Daedeok Fire Station said, "The machining process inside the plant uses a considerable amount of cutting oil, and the ceiling and other areas were heavily coated with grime, including cutting oil," and explained, "We believe the fire rapidly spread along sludge (residue) stuck not only to the grime but also to dust-collection equipment and piping."
Also, the "rest area" where nine victims were found was confirmed to be a mezzanine space on the second level that did not appear on the blueprints. According to Daedeok District, the leftover space with a considerable floor height between the ramp leading from the ground level to the third-floor parking lot and the third floor appears to have been arbitrarily built out like a mezzanine and used.
It was initially reported as a gym, but it is said to have usually served as a changing room or a place where employees slept. Split into two levels, it had windows only on one side. Some analysts say this layout made escape difficult.
Nam Deuk-u, chief of the Daedeok Fire Station, said, "We suspect it would not have been easy to get out because the full-height glass windows were blocked," but added, "It is hard to conclude that this was the cause of the heavy toll."
According to Daedeok District, the Anjeon Industrial plant has a total floor area of 19,730㎡. After completion in Jan. 1996, it underwent successive expansions in 2010, 2011 and 2014.
A fire broke out at the Anjeon Industrial plant at about 1:17 p.m. on the 20th. The flames were brought under control only after more than 10 hours of firefighting. The blaze left 11 people dead and three missing. There were 59 injured, including firefighters hurt while battling the fire.
Fire authorities believe the three missing people may remain in the collapsed section behind the east building's parking area and plan to deploy heavy equipment for the search.