Firefighters battle a blaze at an auto parts factory in Daejeon, March 20. Yonhap
As fire safety officials in Korea grapple with a surge in residential and industrial disasters, a surprising new directive is emerging, as officials say the instinct to flee blindly may be more lethal than the fire itself.
The warning follows a string of tragedies, including a devastating blaze last month at an auto parts factory in Daejeon that killed 14 workers, and a persistent rise in high-rise apartment fires that has challenged the nation’s emergency protocols.
According to data released by the National Fire Agency Tuesday, a situational evacuation strategy is essential to reducing casualties. Agency analysis reveals that approximately 39 percent of recent fire fatalities occurred during the evacuation process, rather than from the initial blaze. Notably, many of these victims were overcome by smoke while attempting to flee apartments and other places that were not actually on fire, highlighting how stairwells can quickly transform into deadly chimneys.
Between 2023 and 2025, roughly 9,300 apartment fires resulted in 115 deaths and 1,148 injuries. A recent blaze in Gimje, North Jeolla Province, underscored this volatility; while the fire was localized, seven residents from upper floors were injured as smoke surged upward through the building’s primary arteries.
The updated safety protocol hinges on a two-pronged assessment of the immediate environment. If a fire originates within a residence and the path is clear, occupants are urged to evacuate, ensuring they close the front door behind them to help contain the spread. If trapped, they must retreat to a designated refuge space and seal gaps against smoke.
Conversely, if the fire is elsewhere in the building and no smoke has entered the home, officials suggest that staying inside is often the safest course of action. If smoke begins to seep in, residents are advised to assess the safety of stairwells before attempting an exit.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Source: Korea Times News
