Hwaseong recycling facility fire injures one, prompts evacuations

One person was injured and nine others had to evacuate after a major fire broke out at a recycling facility in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, on Wednesday.

Gyeonggi fire authorities received a report from a facility employee who said that waste materials were on fire. Officials issued a Level 1 emergency response — the lowest emergency tier out of three — at 2:15 p.m. due to the large amount of hazardous materials at the site and concerns that the fire could spread.

Authorities raised the response to Level 2 just four minutes later at 2:19 p.m. A Level 1 response is issued when 31 to 50 fire vehicles may be needed, while Level 2 calls for 51 to 80.

Some 117 firefighters and 39 pieces of equipment were dispatched to the scene.

A woman who was near the facility when the fire broke out suffered a burn to her right arm. Nine other people evacuated on their own and told authorities that no one remained inside the facility.

The Hwaseong city government sent an emergency text message to the local residents.

“A fire broke out at 533-9 Gwirae-ri, Jeongnam-myeon, Hyohang District, at 1:58 p.m. today, and a large amount of smoke is being produced,” the message said. “Residents nearby are advised to take safety precautions, including keeping their windows closed.”

Police and fire authorities plan to investigate the cause once the fire has been fully extinguished.

BY CHO MUN-GYU [[email protected]]