2022 Fire-Related Human and Property Damage in Jeonbuk Region Decreased Compared to Previous Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] In 2022, the number of casualties and property damage caused by fires in the Jeonbuk region decreased compared to the previous year (2021).

According to data analyzed by the Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters on the fire occurrence status last year on the 31st, the number of fire incidents significantly increased compared to the previous year, but casualties and property damage decreased.

Last year, a total of 2,156 fires occurred in the province, resulting in 63 casualties and property damage worth approximately 18.9 billion KRW.

Compared to the previous year, the number of fires increased by 8.7% (from 1,984 to 2,156), casualties decreased by 30.0% (from 90 to 63), and property damage decreased by 1.4% (from approximately 19.2 billion KRW to 18.9 billion KRW).

The locations of fire occurrences were mostly outdoors (such as garbage) at 28.8% (621 cases), followed by residential facilities at 20.1% (433 cases), industrial facilities such as factories at 13.1% (283 cases), and automobiles at 11.8% (254 cases).

Looking at the increase rates compared to the previous year, outdoor (garbage, etc.) fires increased by 24.9% (124 cases), other buildings by 31.6% (48 cases), and forest fires by 92.2% (47 cases), while residential facility fires decreased by 14.3% (72 cases).

The causes of fires were identified as negligence at 56.7% (1,222 cases), electrical factors at 18.7% (404 cases), and mechanical factors at 10.4% (224 cases). Notably, fires caused by negligence increased significantly by 17.3% (180 cases) compared to the previous year.

Outdoor and forest fires increased significantly last year, which is analyzed to be influenced by low precipitation from January through spring and negligence factors such as outdoor garbage burning.

The number of deaths caused by fires in 2022 increased by 10% (from 10 to 11) compared to the previous year, while the number of injuries decreased by 35% (from 80 to 52).

The decrease in injuries was influenced by a reduction in minor injuries due to simple smoke inhalation in residential facilities and a decrease in serious injuries in industrial facilities such as factories; however, 48.1% (25 people) of all injuries occurred in residential facilities.

Regarding property damage, industrial facilities such as factories accounted for 47.1% (approximately 8.9 billion KRW), ships 17% (approximately 3.2 billion KRW), and residential facilities 10.8% (approximately 2.0 billion KRW).

The increase or decrease in property damage was largely influenced by high-cost fire incidents, including last year's fires at Gunsan Outer Port ships and Gimje livestock barns.

Choi Mincheol, head of the Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters, said, "Last year, fires increased due to climate change effects such as unprecedented droughts in winter and spring," and added, "Based on fire statistics analysis, we will actively promote preemptive and locally appropriate measures to protect the precious lives and property of the residents."

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