Sejong fire likely caused by 'oil mist' explosions

By Kim Hyun-bin

Fire officials suspect that “oil mist” was the cause of a fire that killed three and injured 37 at an apartment building construction site in the central administration city of Sejong, Tuesday.

“We have received testimony from construction officials and nearby residents that there were over 10 explosions in the underground parking lot,” said Chae Soo-jong, head of the Sejong Fire Headquarters during a briefing Wednesday. “We suspect the explosions were caused by oil mist.”

He explained the blaze at the underground parking lot simultaneously spread through seven apartment buildings as the large lot linked other nearby apartment buildings in the complex.

Firefighters had difficulty battling the flames as there were no fire extinguishing systems in place.

“The seven apartment pathways that were linked to the parking lot had the same effect as a chimney which fueled the fire,” said Chae. “There were no fire prevention systems at the site including fire doors and fire shutters as it was under construction.

Most of the deceased were found in the basement of building 1302.

“We suspect one of workers was killed after hiding in the closet and died as the fire engulfed him. Two others were killed as they couldn't find the exit and suffocated from the fumes,” he said.

The blaze started at 1:10 pm at the Treeshade apartment construction, creating large flames and sending massive black smoke clouds into the sky. Construction officials say there were at least 169 workers on site at the time.

Police are still looking into the exact cause of the blaze.

Around 50 fire trucks and 200 firefighters were deployed to the scene.

"We were deployed to the scene upon receiving a citizen's report that smoke was rising into the sky with loud explosions at the site," a firefighter said.

Fire authorities said there were a lot of flammable materials inside the building including epoxy coating and paint at the scene.

Fifteen Chinese nationals were among the 40 victims of the fire.

A Chinese man in his 50's was killed and 14 others injured.

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul dispatched officials to the scene.

The Chinese government also asked the South Korean administration to do its utmost to help the injured Chinese and requested they be repatriated, according to Xinhua news.