At a restaurant in Bongmyeong-dong, Cheongju, an LP gas explosion left 16 people injured and caused massive property damage, and an analysis said a car parked in front of the store at the time prevented greater harm.
According to fire authorities on the 14th, a black Carnival was parked in front of the store at the time of the gas explosion on the 13th.
The Carnival overturned from the impact of the LP gas explosion. Fire authorities said the Carnival helped block the blast wave from the explosion.
A fire official said, "Given the site conditions and CCTV footage, if the vehicle had not been there, the shock wave would have been transmitted as is and damage to nearby areas such as the apartment complex would likely have been greater."
Reports of damage from the accident have reached 363 so far. Sixteen nearby residents were injured by shards from shattered windows, and some required hospital treatment. Authorities plan to continue receiving damage reports through the 22nd, so the scale of damage is expected to grow.
Fire authorities, together with police, have launched a joint inspection to determine the cause of the accident. They are also investigating the entire construction process, including questioning the company's workers.