Seven injured in Bucheon factory fire

Seven people, including five firefighters, were injured while crews battled a fire at a metal parts painting factory in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Friday, authorities said.

Two firefighters suffered serious injuries from smoke inhalation and were taken to a hospital, the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters said.

Three other firefighters suffered minor injuries, including heat exhaustion. Two factory employees suffered burns to their faces and arms.

The fire broke out at about 8:38 a.m. at a four-story factory in Nae-dong, Ojeong-gu.

Firefighters rescued one person, while four others, including factory workers, evacuated on their own.

Fire officials escalated their response 19 minutes after the fire began and expanded it further at 9:09 a.m. They scaled back the response at 10:08 a.m. Crews brought the main flames under control at 10:22 a.m., about two hours after the fire broke out.

At its peak, 80 firefighters and 38 pieces of equipment were deployed, authorities said.

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.