A fire broke out at a hazardous materials storage facility in Cheongbuk-eup, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, prompting fire authorities to issue a national firefighting mobilization order and begin suppression efforts.
According to the National Fire Agency on the 11th, a fire alarm report came in through the automatic fire notification system at about 12:03 a.m. Smoke rose from a hazardous materials storage warehouse, followed by an explosion and flames. No casualties have been confirmed so far.
The hazardous materials storage warehouse where the fire occurred is believed to hold about 1.91 million liters (ℓ) of chemical substances, including more than 100 types of Class 4 hazardous materials. Under the Hazardous Materials Safety Control Act, Class 4 hazardous materials are flammable liquids, including specially flammable substances, Class 1–4 petroleum products, and alcohols.
Determining there was a possibility the blaze could grow, fire authorities issued a Level 1 response at 1:32 a.m., then raised it to Level 2 at 2:40 a.m. So far, 238 firefighters and 95 pieces of equipment have been deployed.
In particular, at 3:39 a.m., they issued the first national firefighting mobilization order, urgently mobilizing 11 water tankers and 11 hazmat vehicles, including the National 119 Rescue Headquarters' large-capacity foam firefighting system.
They also issued a second national firefighting mobilization order and additionally deployed six rehab support vehicles where firefighters can rest. The National 119 Rescue Headquarters' unmanned breaching water cannon vehicle and high-performance hazmat vehicle were also dispatched.
As the main flames were brought under control, the response was downgraded to Level 1 at 5:16 a.m., but the national firefighting mobilization order remains in place.
Fire authorities also worked to prevent the release of pollutants in cooperation with emergency support agencies, including the environmental office. They plan to investigate the precise cause of the fire once it is extinguished.