[Breaking] Fire Rekindles at Kumho Tire Factory After 'Fully Extinguished' Declaration... Firefighters Redeployed

Residual Flames Reignite Two Days After Complete Extinguishment

Residual flames reignited at the site of the Kumho Tire Gwangju factory fire, which had previously been declared fully extinguished, prompting the fire authorities to be redeployed.

On the morning of the 17th, black smoke soared into the sky due to a fire at the Kumho Tire factory in Gwangsan District, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun

According to the Gwangju Fire Department on May 22, at approximately 5:55 p.m. that day, a fire broke out again at Kumho Tire Factory No. 2 in Gwangsan District, Gwangju. The rekindling was confirmed while building demolition and monitoring for residual flames were underway at the site. Sixteen personnel have been dispatched to the scene to carry out firefighting operations.

The fire is reported to have spread across a section of about 150 meters, from the semi-finished product manufacturing process to the refining process. Authorities plan to eliminate the source of ignition that fueled the residual flames after extinguishing the fire.

The Kumho Tire Gwangju factory fire originally occurred at 7:11 a.m. on May 17. A worker in his twenties suffered serious injuries to his head, back, and other areas after falling while evacuating. In addition, two firefighters were injured during the firefighting efforts. At that time, 249 residents of nearby apartment complexes evacuated to the Gwangju Women's University gymnasium and returned home on the morning of May 19.

Factory No. 2 was declared fully extinguished on the morning of May 20, and building demolition and cleanup of residual flames have been underway since then.

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