The 2019 Goseong fire was a fire in Goseong County, South Korea that lasted from April 4 to 6, 2019. It spread to the cities of Sokcho, Inje, Donghae and Gangneung and caused two deaths, over 30 injuries, and the evacuation of over 4,000 residents.[2]
| 2019 Goseong fire | |
|---|---|
| Date(s) | April 4, 2019 – April 6, 2019 |
| Location | Goseong County, South Korea |
| Statistics[1] | |
| Burned area | 1,260 acres (5.1 km2) |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 30 |
| Structures destroyed | Over 2,000 |
| Damage | $4.6 million USD |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | High-voltage power line |
The cause of the fire was an extra high-voltage wire owned by KEPCO that fell due to high winds which led to an electric arc.[3] On April 20, 2023 KEPCO was found to be liable for the fire and ordered to pay $6.6 million (USD) to evacuees. In January 2023, seven current and former KEPCO employees were acquitted of charges related to safety failures. [4]
The fire damaged over 200 homes and over 2,000 buildings causing estimated damages of $4.6 million (USD).[5] More than 13,000 firefighters were mobilized from other parts of the country to fight the fire.[6] The captain of the South Korea national football team, Heung-Min Son donated $124,600 (USD) to victims of the fire[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Goseong Fire 2019". The Korea Times. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ ""Massive wildfire wreaks havoc on Gangwon towns"". The Korea Times. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ ""Electric Arc Believed to Have Caused Goseong Mountain Fires"". KBS World Radio. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ ""Kepco ordered to pay 8.7 billion won for 2019 wildfire"". Korea JoongAng Daily. April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ ""KEPCO may face damage suit for forest fire in Gangwon Province"". The Korea Times. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ ""S. Korea struggles to battle worst wildfire on its soil in years"". The Korean Herald. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ Lee, Sungmo (15 April 2019). "Tottenham star Son Heung-min donates £100k to South Korean fire victims". Goal. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
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