27.2% of Fires in Yeosu Industrial Complex Caused by Spontaneous Combustion

Spontaneous Combustion Occurs in Enclosed Industrial Sites Such as Coal Storage

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek] It has been revealed that 27.2% of fire causes in the Yeosu Industrial Complex in Jeonnam are due to spontaneous combustion, requiring caution.

The Yeosu Fire Department announced that on the 5th, a fire caused by spontaneous combustion occurred at a waste disposal site within the Yeosu Industrial Complex, but due to initial response, there were no major casualties or property damage.

Recently, the number of heatwave and tropical night days has already exceeded the summer average due to consecutive heatwaves. When such hot weather continues, the risk of spontaneous combustion increases depending on the accumulation state of waste and other materials.

Spontaneous combustion refers to the phenomenon where a material generates heat and ignites by itself without an external heat source under normal atmospheric environmental conditions.

In the past three years (2018 ~ 2020), out of a total of 36 fires in the Yeosu National Industrial Complex, 9 cases (27.2%) were due to spontaneous combustion, indicating a high incidence of fires caused by spontaneous combustion. Fires caused by spontaneous combustion typically occur in coal storage yards and enclosed industrial sites.

Additionally, the hot and humid environment in summer increases the possibility of spontaneous combustion, leading to concentrated fire occurrences.

To prevent fires caused by spontaneous combustion, continuous ventilation is necessary to minimize the accumulation of vapor and heat. Furthermore, safety management should be strengthened by establishing monitoring systems such as preventive patrols.

Chief Kim Chang-su stated, “Yeosu has about 300 industrial complex companies, including coal storage yards within the national industrial complex,” and added, “We will always keep a close watch on the risk of spontaneous combustion during hot seasons like these and devote all efforts to prevention.”

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek simkt7@asiae.co.kr

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