Worker Injured in Fire at South Korean Steel Plant

On November 10, a fire erupted at a steel plant in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, leading to burn injuries for one worker. The facility is managed by Posco, a major global steel producer.

The fire ignited at approximately 04:20 local time, reportedly accompanied by several explosions at Posco’s third FINEX production unit. Emergency responders, comprising 120 firefighters and 43 fire trucks, were deployed to the site. By 06:30, the fire was under control, and it was fully extinguished by 09:30.

Firefighters noted that battling the blaze posed significant challenges, not only due to the intensity of the fire but also because it occurred in a section of the plant situated 50 meters above ground level. While the exact cause remains under investigation, preliminary police reports suggest that a rapid gas expansion in an air duct might have triggered the incident.

The FINEX process, which produces molten iron from iron ore fines and non-coking coal, is known to have an increased fire risk because it involves the use of enriched oxygen.

Of the eight workers present at the facility during the fire, only one sustained injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital. The injured worker is expected to recover fully.

During the emergency, operations at the Posco plant were halted, and an internal assessment is ongoing to evaluate the fire’s impact. However, company representatives stated that production is expected to resume within a few days, with minimal impact on overall output.

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