"Explosion Like a Cannon, Pillar of Fire": Cheonan Fire Felt 50 Meters Away

"Suddenly, there was a massive explosion sound like a cannon firing, and the building shook."

The fire broke out at 11:44 a.m. on the 28th at the Daewon Industrial plant in Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, which produces paint raw materials and other products.

A resident met near an auto repair shop 50 meters away from the factory recounted the situation, saying, "Because of the loud explosion and vibration, I thought a war had broken out."

Due to the sheer force of the blast, shattered window glass from the auto repair shop littered the ground, and a pungent odor pierced the air.

An official from a nearby factory also said, "At first, I thought it was a small fire, but suddenly a pillar of fire shot up more than 50 meters and I heard a sound like a huge bomb going off."

As embers spread to neighboring factories, firefighters reportedly had to conduct firefighting operations on the adjacent facilities at one point.

Dashcam footage from a vehicle passing near the scene at the time of the explosion captured the scale of the blast.

From the factory spewing black smoke, a sudden explosion occurred, and a crimson pillar of fire appeared to shoot dozens of meters into the air.

Because it was a plant handling highly flammable paint raw materials, it took about four hours to extinguish the fire even while heavy rain was falling at the scene.

At the site, even as firefighters continuously sprayed water, the phenomenon of black smoke surging whenever the building's roof was peeled back repeated itself.

Twenty-one workers were on duty at the factory, which is known for manufacturing fatty acids required for various industries, including tires and paint raw materials.

After the fire broke out, 17 people evacuated, but a total of 3 people—including 1 employee who worked in the cafeteria and 2 workers of Philippine nationality—ultimately did not return.

Another employee in their 30s of Philippine nationality suffered second-degree burns over their entire body and was transferred to a hospital in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, for treatment, while 1 firefighter was also injured after being hit in the wrist by falling debris.

(Photo provided by Chungnam Fire Headquarters, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.