The blaze erupted at 0:03 on 11/8 at a chemical storage warehouse in the Tojin-ri area, Cheongbuk ward, Pyeongtaek city, about 60 km south of Seoul. Firefighters received the report via an automatic fire alarm system installed at the facility. The affected building, a one-story structure spanning approximately 937 square meters, stored about 1,91 million liters of group 4 hazardous chemicals, including flammable liquids and general chemicals.

The scene of the chemical warehouse fire in Pyeongtaek city on the early morning of 11/8. *Photo: Gyeonggi Fire Department*

Due to concerns about the fire spreading, officials swiftly escalated the response. The response level was raised to 1 at 1:32, about 80 minutes after the blaze started, and then to level 2 at 2:40. By 3:39, a national firefighting mobilization order was issued, bringing in extensive resources from across the country.

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook urged firefighters to mobilize maximum personnel and equipment to extinguish the flames and search for potential victims. In total, 255 firefighters were deployed along with 26 vehicles, including fire engines and specialized chemical handling vehicles. These resources were dispatched from four neighboring regions: Chungcheong Nam, Sejong, Chungcheong Bac, and Daejeon.

The fire was initially brought under control by the morning of 11/8. *Photo: Yonhap*

By 9:08, approximately 9 hours after the fire started, the Gyeonggi Fire Department declared the blaze initially contained with no casualties reported. However, the national mobilization order remained in effect to prevent any rekindling, highlighting continued vigilance.

Fire officials stated that their top priority was preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent areas. "By focusing on preventing the blaze from spreading to nearby warehouses and facilities, we were able to control it and stop its further development", a fire official said. Pyeongtaek city authorities issued a warning to residents, urging those living near the scene to keep windows closed and limit outdoor activities. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Thanh Danh (According to Korea Times, Chosun, Yonhap)