Demolition begins at Safety Industry factory 39 days after deadly fire

The tragic fire at the Safety Industry factory, which claimed the lives of 14 workers and left 60 injured, has finally seen the start of demolition work. This crucial step, occurring 39 days after the incident, is essential for the ongoing investigation into the cause of the blaze. The building's precarious state, posing a risk of collapse, had severely hampered efforts to access and examine the suspected ignition point on the first floor.

Under the watchful eyes of the Daejeon Employment and Labor Office and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, demolition crews began by removing 102 vehicles from the rooftop parking lot and the third floor of the East Building. The demolition will proceed systematically, starting with the connecting passage between the East and Main Buildings. The investigation team will reassess entry and examination methods for the first-floor processing lines, the presumed origin of the fire, as the demolition progresses.

This painstaking process, estimated to take at least 45 days, will also involve a renewed search for any additional human remains and the collection of personal effects. The incident has cast a grim shadow over the industrial landscape of Daejeon, highlighting the urgent need for thorough investigations and preventative measures to avert future tragedies. The community awaits answers and accountability as the site undergoes this necessary transformation.

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Demolition work is underway at the Safety Industry factory in Daejeon, 39 days after the fire.