Christmas Weekend Marred by Fires... Series of Blazes at Homes and Factories

Deaths and Injuries Reported in Residential Fire
Suncheon Wildfire Burns 10 Hectares of Forest
"Fire Risk Increasing... Extra Caution Needed"

On the morning of the 26th, a fire broke out at a sofa factory in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do, sending black smoke billowing into the sky. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Over the two days of the Christmas weekend, December 25-26, fires broke out across the country, causing casualties and property damage.

On Christmas Day, December 25, at around 1:14 p.m., a fire broke out in a building in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, resulting in the deaths of two people, a man and a woman in their 80s. The fire was completely extinguished at 2:23 p.m., 1 hour and 9 minutes later, but flames shot out of the building and a large amount of smoke billowed out.

Earlier that day, at around 10:16 a.m., a fire of unknown cause broke out in a house in Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, where two residents in their 20s inhaled smoke and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The fire caused about 6 million won in property damage and was fully extinguished in about 30 minutes.

Also, at around 2:16 a.m. on the 25th, a fire broke out at a factory in Hwado-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, completely burning down a warehouse storing blinds, curtains, and fabric, as well as the building opposite it. Fortunately, since it was late at night, no casualties occurred. Fire authorities deployed 56 personnel and 27 pieces of equipment to extinguish the fire and are investigating the exact scale of the damage and the cause.

In Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, a forest fire was extinguished after 20 hours. The forest fire, which started around 3:24 p.m. on the 25th in the Pangyo-ri area of Seomyeon, Suncheon-si, burned 10 hectares and was put out around 11:20 a.m. on the 26th. The firefighting efforts were hampered by severe cold temperatures dropping below minus 10 degrees Celsius and strong winds. Forestry authorities evacuated 39 nearby residents, established firebreaks, and used drones for firefighting operations.

On the morning of the 26th, flames and smoke are rising outside the window of a motel in Busanjin-gu, Busan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Additionally, at around 8:11 a.m. on the 26th, a fire broke out on the 4th floor of a five-story motel in Busanjin-gu, Busan, causing 11 guests to evacuate in a commotion. On the same day at around 4:51 a.m., a fire broke out at a factory in Eunha-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, injuring one person in their 60s who was treated at a hospital.

At around 10:55 a.m. that day, a fire broke out at a sofa factory in Cheonhyeon-dong, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province, and fire authorities are currently extinguishing it. Thick black smoke rose, and smoke was heavily observed in the Gangdong-gu area of Seoul. Hanam City sent a safety text message urging nearby residents to evacuate to a safe place.

According to the National Fire Information System of the Fire Agency, from the 1st of this month to 12 p.m. on the 26th, a total of 2,546 fires occurred, resulting in 24 deaths and 128 injuries. A fire official said, "Winter is a period when the weather is dry and the use of heating appliances increases, raising the risk of fire," adding, "It is necessary to check fire risk factors in daily life and comply with safety guidelines."

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