Massive Fire at Pyeongtaek Hazardous Materials Warehouse Prompts National Mobilization

A massive fire erupted at a hazardous materials warehouse in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, early on July 11, engulfing the facility in flames and smoke. The blaze, which involved an estimated 1.91 million liters of Class 4 hazardous materials, including flammable liquids, led authorities to issue a national fire mobilization order.

The fire was first reported around 12:03 a.m. The scale of the incident quickly escalated, prompting the fire department to raise the response level multiple times. By 3:39 a.m., a national mobilization order was issued, bringing in significant resources from surrounding provinces and specialized equipment, including high-capacity foam systems and unmanned water cannons.

Firefighters deployed 238 personnel and 95 pieces of equipment to combat the inferno at the 937-square-meter facility. After more than five hours of intensive efforts, the fire began to subside, and the response level was lowered around 5:16 a.m. While the mobilization order was partially lifted, it remained in effect as a precaution against re-ignition. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo instructed the National Fire Agency to mobilize all available resources for firefighting and search operations, emphasizing the safety of the on-site personnel. Pyeongtaek City also issued a disaster alert, advising residents to close windows and avoid the area. The exact cause and extent of the damage are under investigation.

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Mobilize all available fire fighting forces and equipment to do our best in extinguishing the fire and searching for people, and ensure the safety of the field personnel.