Gwangju: Kumho Tire Co., South Korea’s second-largest tire manufacturer, has halted production at its Gwangju facility after a fire erupted at the site. The fire, which started early in the morning, prompted an immediate evacuation of approximately 400 workers present at the plant, located around 270 kilometers south of Seoul.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the fire began around 7:11 a.m. and led to a complete suspension of production as the company aims to manage the situation. A company representative confirmed this decision during a phone interview with the news agency. The incident resulted in the injury of a male employee in his 20s, who has since been taken to a nearby hospital. The injuries are not considered life-threatening.

The initial findings suggest that the fire originated from equipment used for heating raw rubber. Firefighting efforts are extensive, with 167 personnel and 65 pieces of equipment deployed to control the blaze. Authorities have indicated that the presence of approximately 20 tons of raw rubber at the factory is complicating efforts to extinguish the fire completely. It is anticipated that it may take several days before the fire is fully contained.