Bonghwa, South Korea smelter fire sparks toxic gas concerns

A fire broke out at the Seokpo smelting plant in Seokpo‑myeon, Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province, on July 9 at about 12:36 p.m. Local fire authorities dispatched teams immediately and issued a Level 1 response, later upgraded to Level 2 to involve neighboring stations.

No injuries have been reported, and residents were instructed to stay away from the site and use alternative routes. The blaze originated in a section of the plant that handles sulfuric acid production, raising fears that toxic gases could be released if the fire spreads. Firefighters are focusing on extinguishing the flames and conducting a search for any possible victims while assessing the risk of hazardous emissions. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.