'Explosion Risk on Contact with Water'... Firefighting Hampered by 200kg of Sodium Inside Factory

The initial building completely destroyed...
Flames spread to adjacent structure

The fire authorities are struggling to contain a blaze at an engine valve manufacturing plant for automobiles and ships located in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. The building where the fire first broke out has been completely destroyed, and the flames have spread to the adjacent building through a connecting passageway.

In the afternoon of the 20th, a fire broke out at an auto parts manufacturing factory in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, and firefighting authorities are working to extinguish it. Photo by Yonhap News

At a briefing on March 20, the Daedeok Fire Station in Daejeon stated, "We understand that the fire spread rapidly," adding, "Because the building is a prefabricated structure, the fire is spreading quickly. Given that the fire is burning explosively, there is a risk of building collapse, so we have had to withdraw from the interior after entering, making firefighting efforts difficult."

In particular, it has been reported that approximately 200 kilograms of sodium stored inside the factory is significantly hindering firefighting efforts. A fire department official explained, "Since sodium can explode upon contact with water, it is difficult to carry out extinguishing work. We are making every effort to prevent the flames from reaching the sodium storage area."

Sodium, a flammable metal, has a high possibility of causing a major explosion if it comes into contact with water. Because sodium fires are classified as Class D metal fires, which cannot be extinguished with water, materials such as dry sand, expanded vermiculite, or expanded perlite must be used to put out the flames.

Meanwhile, at around 1:17 p.m. on the same day, a fire broke out at Daejeon Safe Industry Factory, and fire authorities have been working for over four hours to put it out. At 1:53 p.m., the National Fire Agency issued a National Fire Mobilization Order due to concerns over multiple casualties.

As of 3:30 p.m. on March 20, there have been 24 people seriously injured and 29 people with minor injuries. It has also been reported that 14 people are currently unaccounted for.

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