A gas leak explosion took place early on the 13th at a commercial structure in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. The incident resulted in 15 residents being injured and caused damage to surrounding homes and several vehicles.
As reported by the Chungbuk Fire Department Headquarters, the explosion occurred approximately at 4 a.m. at a restaurant located on the ground floor of a three-story commercial building in Bongmyeong-dong, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju. Eight people living nearby were injured by shattered glass and were transported to hospitals for medical care. The other seven received immediate assistance at the scene or had slight injuries.
At that moment, every shop within the building, including the restaurant, was shut down and vacant, which helped avoid additional injuries. Nevertheless, the force of the explosion resulted in significant destruction in the nearby densely populated residential zones.
The location of the explosion looked like a battlefield. Vehicles parked near the structure were flipped over, and windows in buildings within tens of meters were broken. Interestingly, approximately 150 of the 564 homes in a nearby residential complex experienced window damage, resulting in substantial financial loss.
Inhabitants, shocked by the explosion, emerged in their nightclothes, leading to confusion during the evacuation.
A local resident (49 years old) stated, “The noise and shaking were so strong I believed a bomb had gone off,” recounting the fear of that instant.
A 58-year-old inhabitant remarked, “I was resting in the living area when a loud crash broke the glass, causing it to fall inside and injure my face and other body parts.”
Officials, such as the Korea Gas Safety Corporation and fire department personnel, believe that two liquefied petroleum gas tanks located in an empty area behind the restaurant detonated. Ongoing investigations are examining the specific cause, including potential gas leaks, as well as the extent of the damage.
Cheongju City swiftly initiated its emergency response protocol following the incident. The municipality carried out safety assessments of the impacted structure and performed further gas leak examinations in adjacent residential buildings. Temporary shelter arrangements were also made for those who had to leave their homes.
Mayor Lee Beom-seok, upon visiting the location, stated, “Due to significant temperature changes each day, make sure those who have been displaced are safeguarded in places that offer both heating and cooling, and ensure there are no interruptions in meal provision and daily living assistance.”
The city intends to quickly move forward with removing debris and restoring the site after damage evaluations are finished, while also providing assistance with insurance claims.
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