The South Korean news agency Yonhap reports that it took significant time for firefighters to gain control of the massive fire at a lithium battery factory on Monday before they could enter the buildings. Extinguishing fires involving lithium batteries is particularly challenging using conventional methods.
– Since the factory manufactures lithium batteries, we determined that water would be ineffective in extinguishing the flames, firefighter Kim Jin-Youn told Yonhap.
–We're currently using dry sand to control the fire.
In response to the blaze, President Yoon Suk-Yeol ordered authorities to mobilize all available personnel and equipment to prioritize search and rescue efforts. Most of the dead were migrant laborers from China.
The fire erupted at an Aricell factory located in Hwaseong, south of the capital Seoul. The cause of the incident remains under investigation. Aricell makes lithium primary batteries for sensors and radio communication devices.
South Korea is a major battery manufacturer, including batteries used in electric vehicles. Lithium batteries can be highly explosive.