6 out of 10 Restaurant Fires in Seoul Caused by 'Negligence'... "Request to Equip K-Class Fire Extinguishers"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] It has been revealed that 6 out of 10 restaurant fires in Seoul were caused by negligence. In response, the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters urged regular removal of grease in ducts, which are fire hazards, and the installation of K-class fire extinguishers.

On the 28th, the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced an analysis of fire statistics in restaurants over the past three years to provide fire safety information amid an increase in restaurant startups.

According to the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, there were 1,861 restaurant fires in the past three years, averaging 620 cases annually. By year, restaurant fires decreased from 682 in 2018, to 608 in 2019, and 571 in 2020.

However, negligence was the leading cause of restaurant fires with 1,115 cases (59.9%), indicating the need for preventive measures. Following negligence, electrical causes accounted for 440 cases (23.6%), and mechanical causes for 127 cases (6.8%).

Among fires caused by negligence, the most common was leaving food unattended during cooking with 520 cases (46.6%), followed by leaving fire sources unattended with 216 cases (19.4%), and placing combustible materials too close with 90 cases (8.1%).

Notably, fires originating from ducts and flues in restaurant kitchens accounted for 48 cases in 2018, 50 in 2019, and 45 in 2020, totaling 143 cases (7.7%), highlighting the need for special caution.

A representative from the Fire and Disaster Headquarters stated, “Fires caused by accumulated grease residue in ducts or flues during cooking are difficult to extinguish and prone to rapid spread. We urge regular removal of grease residue through specialized duct cleaning services and the mandatory installation of K-class fire extinguishers in kitchens.”

They also emphasized the mandatory installation of K-class fire extinguishers. Named after the first letter of "Kitchen," K-class extinguishers form a film over the surface of burning cooking oils such as vegetable oil to extinguish the fire.

Choi Tae-young, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, “According to government statistics, restaurant startups in the Seoul area have increased this year. Since restaurants located in complex buildings can potentially lead to large-scale fires, we ask for attention and proactive measures regarding fire safety.”

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