A major

fire Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction Product (chemistry), products. At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition ...

occurred on 29 April 2020 at a construction site in

Icheon Icheon () is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Together with Yeoju, Icheon is known as a center of South Korean ceramic manufacturing and is a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art. Other famous local products include peaches and rice. Loc ...

, South Korea, killing 39 people and injuring another 10. Blood samples taken from 23 victims indicate most had died from

carbon monoxide poisoning Carbon monoxide poisoning typically occurs from breathing in carbon monoxide (CO) at excessive levels. Symptoms are often described as "flu-like" and commonly include headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Large e ...

Autopsies An autopsy (post-mortem examination, obduction, necropsy, or autopsia cadaverum) is a surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse by dissection to determine the cause, mode, and manner of death or to evaluate any di ...

have been completed on 15 of the 39 people killed, as recommended by South Korea authorities, but has angered victims' families. All killed workers were irregular or subcontract workers. The building under construction has four floors above-ground and two more underground. The building did not have sprinklers or other obligatory safety measures. The fire broke out when some 78 workers were in the sub-basement working on

polyurethane Polyurethane (; often abbreviated PUR and PU) refers to a class of polymers composed of organic chemistry, organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. In contrast to other common polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene, polyurethan ...

foam. The first explosion occurred around 13:30 (4:30 UTC). At least 10

explosion An explosion is a rapid expansion in volume associated with an extreme outward release of energy, usually with the generation of high temperatures and release of high-pressure gases. Supersonic explosions created by high explosives are known ...

s were heard. Authorities launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and what safety regulations were violated. An earlier fire at a refrigerated warehouse in Icheon on 7 January 2008 had killed 40 workers.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Icheon fire, 2020 2020 disasters in South Korea Icheon fire 2020 in South Korea April 2020 events in South Korea Building and structure fires in South Korea Explosions in 2020 Explosions in South Korea

Fire Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction Product (chemistry), products. At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition ...

Construction accidents

See also

References