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Deaths from Daejeon fire concentrated in illegal extensions

Published: 23 Mar. 2026, 00:01

A massive fire at an auto parts manufacturer in Daedeok District, Daejeon, on Friday left 14 people dead and 60 others injured, which is a tragedy. The fact that many of the 170 employees failed to evacuate promptly despite the fire alarm functioning properly underscores the severity of the disaster.

Investigators are seen outside an auto parts factory in Daedeok District, Daejeon on March 22, after a fire broke out at the facility on March 20. [NEWS1]

In particular, many of the victims were found in an unauthorized duplex structure used as a lounge and gym. Workers who had been resting around lunchtime appear to have been unable to escape. The space, measuring 330 square meters (about 3,550 square feet), was not included in official building plans and had been arbitrarily added by the company by utilizing leftover space in a building with high ceilings. What was originally a two-story structure had been divided into second and third floors, with windows located only on a narrow side of the building rather than the front. Critics say that if windows had been installed on the front side, rescue efforts using air mats could have been more effective. Although the fire is believed to have started on the first floor, it is difficult to dismiss suspicions that the illegal expansion worsened the situation and resulted in more deaths and injuries.

Flammable materials inside the factory, including cutting oil and residue, are also believed to have contributed to the spread of the fire. In addition, large quantities of sodium, which reacts explosively with water, were stored at the site, complicating initial firefighting efforts. These risk factors did not emerge overnight. Issues such as the unauthorized duplex structure, poor management of flammable materials and unsafe storage of hazardous substances could have been addressed through prior inspections.

To prevent a recurrence of such accidents, a thorough investigation into the causes must be accompanied by effective countermeasures. Authorities need to clearly determine not only the ignition point and the path of the fire’s spread but also responsibility for the installation of illegal facilities and failures in safety inspections. At the same time, regulatory standards and oversight for unauthorized expansions within factories should be strengthened.

Investigators are seen outside an auto parts factory in Daedeok District, Daejeon on March 22, after a fire broke out at the facility on March 20. [NEWS1]

The site of the fire is a company that localizes key engine components and exports goods worth 100 billion won ($66.6 million) annually. However, such a disaster can undo years of achievement in an instant. Safety in industrial workplaces is directly tied to workers’ lives and is an essential condition for sustainable corporate growth. This tragedy should serve as a turning point to improve workplace safety and prevent such incidents from happening again.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.