Four firefighters were seriously injured, with one in cardiac arrest, while battling a major fire at a metal parts painting factory in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Friday, authorities said.
The fire broke out at about 8:38 a.m. at a four-story factory in Nae-dong, Ojeong-gu, the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters said. Flammable liquids were reportedly stored inside the building.
Firefighters rescued one person, while four others, including factory workers, evacuated on their own.
The fire department activated its first-level response 19 minutes after the blaze began and escalated to Level 2 at 9:09 a.m. By then, 39 firefighters and 16 pieces of equipment had been deployed.
A total of 80 firefighters and 38 pieces of equipment were deployed, authorities said.
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook directed the National Fire Agency to mobilize all available personnel and equipment, rescue anyone trapped and work to extinguish the blaze.
Bucheon officials sent an emergency text alert urging residents to stay indoors because of heavy smoke.
Authorities plan to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the damage after it is extinguished.
shwang9@heraldcorp.com