Report “gas smell”… Explosion during road control, 2 people suffered full-body burns, 14 houses and 3 cars burned “Wind against storage…” “Thank goodness”
On the 2nd, an LPG charging station in Jangpyeong-ri, Yongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do exploded and a fire broke out. The vehicle was burned beyond recognition and the entire village was severely damaged as if it had been bombed. Provided by Gangwon Fire Department
“I thought there was a war because I heard a bang, like a shell had landed.”
A liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) charging station in Jangpyeong-ri, Yongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do on the 2nd. Resident Mr. Kim (48), who was looking at the ruined site from the explosion on New Year’s Day, said, “I came outside after hearing a huge loud noise and saw flames rising. “Afterwards, I continued to hear explosions, so I thought we had been shelled,” he said.
As the sun rose that day, the horrors of the accident the night before were revealed. The bulk truck in front of the charging station had melted beyond recognition, and about 10 buildings across from the charging station had broken windows and heavily charred walls. Cars all over the road were so burned that they were unrecognizable. The doors of one truck fell off on both sides, giving a sense of the force of the explosion.
The first report of a strong gas odor coming from near the charging station was reported to 119 at around 8:41 pm on the 1st. Firefighters who arrived immediately confirmed that gas was leaking from the charging station, then immediately closed off the road and took emergency measures. However, at around 9:03 p.m., an explosion and a fire broke out, instantly turning the nearby village into a sea of flames.
The fire department deployed 58 pieces of equipment and 121 people and succeeded in making the first attack at around 10:48 p.m., and completely extinguished the fire at around 11:59 p.m. However, Mr. A (36), who was in the parking lot about 230 meters away from the charging station, and Mr. B (62), the driver of a 1-ton truck passing near the charging station, suffered burns all over their bodies and were taken to the hospital for treatment. Additionally, three people were injured, including a man in his 50s who was driving and two foreign women who were staying at a motel across from the charging station. According to the fire department, 14 houses were burned down, including 3 houses, and 14 vehicles were damaged, including 3 completely burned down.
As a result of the investigation, 13 tons and 20 tons of gas remained at the charging station in gas storage facilities with a capacity of 50 tons and 30 tons, respectively. At the scene, 489 20kg and 284 50kg household LPG cylinders were found. If the fire had hit this area, uncontrollable damage would have occurred. A police official said, “Considering that flames were engulfed in various areas within 300 meters of the charging station, it is presumed that the leaked gas spread widely and then exploded and caused a fire.” He added, “The wind was blowing in the opposite direction from the gas storage facility, and firefighters were injured.” “It seems that further explosions were prevented as the firefighting efforts became more concentrated,” he explained.
The police conducted a joint investigation at the scene with the Korea Gas Safety Corporation and the National Institute of Forensic Science on the morning of the 2nd, and are investigating the exact cause of the explosion.
Pyeongchang = Reporter Lee In-mo imlee@donga.com
2024-01-02 18:00:00
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