A large fire broke out at a tire shop in Daejeon, prompting fire authorities to issue a Level 1 response and conduct firefighting operations.

The fire occurred at a tire shop in Galma-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, at around 10:02 AM today (the 30th).

A total of 150 reports were received around the same time, starting with the initial report from a passerby who witnessed the flames.

Fire authorities issued a Level 1 response, mobilizing all personnel and equipment from the jurisdiction, at around 10:20 AM, 18 minutes after the fire broke out.

At the time, the tire shop was open for business, but the employees noticed the fire and evacuated beforehand.

Fire authorities deployed 238 personnel and 98 pieces of equipment, including 2 helicopters, to suppress the fire and conduct water discharge operations.

They also assisted with traffic control and the evacuation of residents.


Due to the large amount of combustible materials such as tires stored inside the shop, the fire spread rapidly.

In the process, the flames also spread to a nearby 6-story building and parts of a residential house in the rear.

The Daejeon Fire Headquarters has confirmed that there are no casualties thus far, excluding two people who returned home after receiving treatment for mild smoke inhalation.

Choi Young-hoon, head of the 119 Disaster Response Division at the Daejeon Dunsan Fire Station, stated during an on-site briefing held at around 12:00 PM, "The adjacent building that caught fire along with the tire shop also deals in auto parts, so there were many combustibles, causing the fire to spread rapidly."

He explained, "Although the fire partially extended to the residential area in the back, we have determined that no casualties have occurred so far."

He added, "There are currently no reports of residents who are out of reach or presumed missing. We will thoroughly re-verify whether there are any casualties through a search operation after the main fire is completely extinguished and make an announcement."

While fire authorities carried out suppression work, it was found that the tire shop, which has a total floor area of 565.04 square meters, was completely burned down.

Parts of the adjacent building, which has a total floor area of 610.11 square meters, and a house were also damaged by the fire.

Fire authorities are deploying helicopters to discharge water and prevent the fire from spreading further.

They are also focusing on putting out the remaining flames inside the tire shop and the adjacent building.

Residents near the fire scene paused their livelihoods, watched the firefighting efforts, and repeatedly stroked their chests in relief.

Residents who failed to wear masks quickly walked past the streets, covering their noses and mouths against the thick, acrid smoke.

Some residents expressed disappointment with the fire authorities' response, stating that the fire would not have spread so quickly if early containment had been handled more urgently.

A person surnamed Cho (57), who operates a car repair center near the fire scene, said, "Fire engines only started to enter after the smoke had been rising for a long time."

He added, "Dunsan Fire Station is right in front, close enough to reach in 1 to 2 minutes by car, so it is regrettable that time seemed to be delayed in the initial suppression."

In response, Choi Young-hoon, head of the 119 Disaster Response Division at the Daejeon Dunsan Fire Station, explained, "Upon receiving the initial report, we were dispatched immediately, issued a Level 1 response, and mobilized all equipment and personnel from the jurisdiction to tackle the fire and evacuate residents."

He also stated, "It appears that smoke spread instantly due to the abundance of combustible materials."

Daejeon City notified citizens of the fire via an emergency text message at 10:29 AM.

The city urged, "Traffic congestion is expected near the fire scene, so please take detour routes. Due to the generation of a large amount of smoke, residents are requested to close their windows and pay attention to safety."

(Photo provided by reader, Yonhap News)