Fire Department Provides Guidelines for Evacuation During Apartment Fires
[Jecheon=Newsis] In Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, a fire on the first floor of an apartment building prompted the evacuation of approximately 80 residents. (Photo provided by Jecheon Fire Department) April 10, 2026. photo@newsis.com *Resale and database usage prohibited.
The Fire Department of South Korea urged residents to familiarize themselves with evacuation protocols specific to different fire scenarios in apartments rather than opting for reckless evacuation.
According to the department, over the past three years, there have been about 9,300 apartment fires, resulting in 115 deaths and 1,148 injuries. Notably, around 39% of the casualties occurred during attempts to escape from units that were not directly affected by flames. This is often due to toxic gases and smoke traveling rapidly up stairwells, exposing residents to harmful conditions during evacuation attempts.
On April 14, a fire in an apartment in Gimje, North Jeolla Province, led to seven injuries, primarily affecting residents living above the fire-affected floor.
Based on a joint manual with relevant departments, the Fire Department has outlined intuitive action guidelines for different fire situations:
– If a fire originates in one’s own apartment and evacuation is possible, residents should close their front door to prevent smoke spread and quickly use the stairs to reach the ground or roof.
– If escape via the front entrance is not possible due to fire, residents should move to a designated safe area or to a location with a lightweight partition within the unit, seal door gaps with a wet towel to block smoke, and await rescue.
– If a fire occurs elsewhere but poses no immediate threat of flames or smoke entering your apartment, it may be safer to stay put, close windows, and monitor the situation.
– If smoke infiltrates your apartment from a distant fire, ensure the corridor and stairs are clear of smoke before attempting evacuation. If evacuation is not feasible, follow the aforementioned safety measures within the unit.
The Fire Department emphasized the importance of knowing the location and type of evacuation facilities in one’s apartment complex. Familiarity with evacuation tools like balcony lightweight partitions or downward evacuation hatches, and conducting family evacuation drills twice a year, is strongly advised.