CEO apologizes over deadly fire as risk of collapse slows probe

Sohn Ju-hwan, CEO of Anjun Industry, the auto parts maker at the center of a deadly factory blaze, pays his respects to victims in front of an altar set up at Daejeon City Hall, Sunday. Yonhap

The head of Anjun Industry, the auto parts maker at the center of a deadly factory blaze in Daejeon, apologized to the victims and their families Sunday.

Accompanied by about 30 company executives and employees, CEO Sohn Ju-hwan arrived at a joint memorial altar installed in the lobby of Daejeon City Hall and paid respects to 14 workers who died in Friday’s fire, the cause of which is under investigation.

A day prior, Sohn issued a written apology on the company’s website, offering his “deepest condolences and heartfelt apologies” to the injured and the bereaved families. He said his company would “take full responsibility” by providing support and compensation.

The fire broke out at around 1:17 p.m. at the company’s Munpyeong-dong plant in Daedeok District, killing 14 people and injuring around 60 others. The police, fire authorities and other government agencies launched a forensic investigation, but officials say the on-site probe has been severely hampered by the risk of further collapse at the fire-damaged structure.

Firefighters inspect the Anjeon Industry plant in Daejeon, Sunday, two days after a fire there killed 14 workers. Newsis

Many sections of the factory have partially collapsed, leaving investigators unable to carry out inspections safely. Officials are now considering gradually demolishing the unstable structures as they work their way through the site.

Fire authorities currently believe the blaze started on the first floor before racing up to the second and third floors, though the exact ignition point can only be confirmed once the joint forensic work is completed.

The complex’s “sandwich panel construction” — thin metal plates packed with insulating material that can burn and trap heat and smoke — is believed to have helped the fire spread and turn deadly more quickly. Conditions inside the plant appear to have further intensified the inferno. Large amounts of cutting oil were present, while sludge left in dust collectors and piping is suspected of having fueled the flames, allowing them to spread faster.

Roughly 200 kilograms of sodium stored inside the factory also complicated the response, as the chemical can react violently with water, limiting the use of typical firefighting methods. To make matters worse, the fire happened during the lunch break, when many workers were in a break area between the second and third floors while thick smoke rapidly filled the stairwells.

Firefighters inspect the Anjeon Industry plant in Daejeon, Sunday. Newsis

Illegal structural changes made to the building are also being scrutinized as a possible factor behind the high death toll. The east wing where the fire occurred was first built as a single-story structure in 2010, then expanded in 2011 and 2014 into a two-story factory with a third-floor parking lot and rooftop parking. Nine of the victims were found in a gym located on the second floor.

Speaking to reporters, Hwang Byung-geun, the leader of the company’s labor union, accused the company of ignoring repeated warnings about fire risks.

“We have repeatedly demanded improvements from management over the fire risks posed by environmental and dust collection facilities during industrial safety and other working-level meetings,” he said. “By dismissing our repeated safety warnings and on-site concerns, the company ultimately allowed the situation to develop into a disaster.”

On Sunday, the government convened a meeting on the Daejeon blaze, chaired by Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung. Top officials discussed guaranteeing the bereaved families’ participation in the investigation, using disaster relief funds to support them financially and setting up a cross-ministerial system to prevent similar accidents. Officials said they will also review overall building safety management, including sandwich panel structures.

“The government said it will concentrate its efforts on ensuring a respectful and dignified recovery process, thoroughly uncovering its cause and implementing measures to prevent further incidents,” Yun said.