Reignition of Fire at Ulsan Mixed-Use Apartment Complex ... Deployment of Helicopters and Special Firefighting Equipment Ordered

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As of the morning of the 9th, the fire that broke out on the night of the 8th in a 33-story residential-commercial complex building in Ulsan has not been completely extinguished, and the fire authorities have mobilized four helicopters, aerial ladder trucks, high-performance chemical trucks, and water tank trucks along with other special firefighting equipment.

According to the Fire Agency and Ulsan Fire Headquarters, the fire that occurred at Samhwan Arneuvo in Dal-dong, Dangu, Ulsan was largely brought under control around 2 a.m. on the 9th, but the flames reignited near the 18th floor of the building and spread inside the apartment, causing firefighting efforts to continue for eight hours.

At the fire scene, 89 fire trucks and 272 firefighters have been dispatched, and a total of four helicopters?one each from Ulsan, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and the Korea Forest Service?have been deployed.

At around 6:15 a.m., the fire authorities also issued a mobilization order for special firefighting equipment such as aerial ladder trucks and high-performance chemical trucks, as well as pump trucks and water tank trucks.

A Fire Agency official explained, "The exterior walls of the building where the fire broke out are constructed with aluminum composite panels, and embers hidden inside the panels have intermittently reignited on unspecified floors. To proactively prepare for any eventuality, we have ordered the dispatch of special equipment from nearby cities and provinces."

The building on fire is a residential-commercial complex with two basement floors used as parking lots, the first to third floors housing commercial and business facilities, and the fourth to thirty-third floors consisting of apartments, with a total of 127 households residing in the apartments.

Initially, the flames rapidly spread along the apartment’s exterior walls from the lower floors to the upper floors, but fortunately, many residents evacuated on their own, and those trapped on the rooftop and some floors were all rescued by the fire rescue team. Aside from 88 people who suffered minor injuries such as smoke inhalation and abrasions, no additional casualties have been reported.

A Fire Agency official stated, "In the early stages of the fire, there were many requests for rescue inside the building, so firefighters checked each household and room and confirmed that there were no additional injuries or other abnormalities."

Meanwhile, Minister Jin Young of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety received a report immediately after the fire broke out and urgently instructed, "Mobilize all administrative resources including local governments such as Ulsan City, fire services, and police to fully focus on fire suppression and rescue operations." The minister is currently en route to the scene.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.