Key facts
- One firefighter died and seven others were injured.
- The fire occurred during a metal cleaning operation using paint thinner.
- Lack of safety equipment and proximity of flammable materials likely contributed to the blaze.
A fire at a metalworking factory in Bucheon, South Korea, on Oct. 16, 2026, was likely caused by oil mist igniting during a metal cleaning operation, officials said Saturday. The blaze resulted in one firefighter's death and seven injuries.
The fire broke out at the four-story factory and was fully extinguished about 2 1/2 hours later. One firefighter died after going into cardiac arrest while being treated at a hospital, and seven others were injured, including one with serious injuries.
Investigators suspect that vapors from paint thinner used for cleaning metal parts were ignited by a spark. The work area reportedly lacked safety equipment, and hundreds of paint cans stored at the site may have contributed to the fire's rapid spread.