(2nd LD) 3 killed, 2 injured in paint ingredient factory fire in Cheonan

A devastating fire erupted at a paint ingredient factory in Cheonan, South Korea, on Friday morning, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives and leaving two others injured. The explosion that sparked the blaze occurred at the plant's raw materials production facility at around 11:44 a.m. local time. Upon arrival, firefighters found the body of one victim near the flames and discovered the two injured individuals inside the factory.

The first fatality was a 70-year-old worker who perished near the fire, while the other two were believed to be foreign employees working at the plant. In addition to the fatalities, a 30-year-old Indonesian national sustained burns, and a firefighter received a hand injury when struck by a falling object during the incident.

As the fire continued to rage, authorities have pledged to conduct a thorough search for any additional potential victims once the fire is fully extinguished. The factory, operated by Daewon Sanup, is under investigation, and both police and fire authorities are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the local community. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung has directed all available resources and personnel to aid in the rescue and firefighting efforts, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.