Joint Probe into Bucheon Plant Fire: "Vapor Likely Ignited by Spark"

Joint investigation by relevant agencies conducted on the morning of Oct. 17
No explosion-proof equipment or other safety facilities at the site

The fire at a metal injection molding and printing plant in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, likely started when a spark ignited vapor generated during metal-cleaning work using thinner.

Four agencies—the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, fire authorities, the National Forensic Service and the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation—began a joint investigation at the fire scene at a plant in Nae-dong, Ojeong-gu, Bucheon, at around 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 17.

Yonhap News Agency

Investigators closely examined the suspected point of origin, including areas around the thinner-cleaning worksite on the plant's third floor, where the fire first broke out. They focused on how flames and black smoke spread so quickly that two firefighters who had been working to put out the initial fire were unable to evacuate and became trapped.

A police investigation confirmed that metal-cleaning work using thinner was underway at the site when the fire broke out. Investigators are focusing on the possibility that a spark caused by static electricity, a minor electrical discharge or frictional heat ignited vapor produced as the toluene in the thinner evaporated.

The cleaning area was an environment where vapor could form, but it reportedly had no explosion-proof equipment or related safety facilities.

Dozens of cans containing thinner were also found nearby, about 1 to 2 meters from the suspected point of origin. Some of them had been opened. Hundreds of paint cans were also stacked at the site, and investigators believe they may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

Investigators plan to collect the cleaning solution remaining in a cleaning container at the site and request a detailed analysis by the National Forensic Service.

Kim Hyo-sung, head of the scientific investigation unit at the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, said at a briefing at the scene: "Our investigation has focused on the possibility that a spark caused by static electricity or frictional heat ignited vapor as metal was being moved after cleaning. Although vapor could form at the site, there appeared to be no explosion-proof equipment or facilities. We plan to determine the exact cause by analyzing the solution we collected."

After finding large quantities of containers holding flammable substances, including Category 2 petroleum products classified as Class 4 hazardous materials, police and fire authorities plan to determine the exact composition and volume of the substances and investigate whether there were any violations in their storage or handling, including the unauthorized handling of hazardous materials.

The plant had no record of obtaining a permit to handle hazardous materials. It also had no sprinklers, as its building area of 362 square meters fell below the installation threshold, investigators found.

The fire broke out at around 8:38 a.m. on Oct. 16 at the plant, which is on the third floor of a five-story building. Two firefighters in their 40s who were among the first responders and were working to put out the fire became trapped. One was transported in cardiac arrest and later died while receiving treatment.

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