3 firefighters unaccounted for following warehouse fire in Pyeongtaek: officials

Smoke billows from a warehouse fire in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 6. Yonhap

Three firefighters responding to a warehouse fire in Pyeongtaek were unaccounted for Thursday as fire authorities tried to contain the blaze for over 10 hours, according to officials.

The fire at a refrigeration warehouse construction site in Pyeongtaek, a city 70 kilometers south of Seoul, was first reported at 11:46 p.m. Wednesday.

Officials believe the three firefighters were isolated at the scene due to the fast spread of the fire and are trying to locate them.

The authorities have issued a Level 2 warning, which enables them to call in support, including firefighters, from other areas. Five civilian workers at the scene were reportedly evacuated. (Yonhap)