Fire prevention checks to cover 36 occupied buildings through Nov. 6, with district office, fire department and gas safety experts conducting joint on-site inspections
Yeongdeungpo-gu will conduct fire safety inspections across the "jjokbangchon" district near Yeongdeungpo Station through Nov. 6.
The jjokbangchon — a cluster of aging, densely packed buildings in the narrow alleys around Yeongdeungpo Station — is home largely to elderly residents and single-person households, groups considered especially vulnerable in disasters. Many buildings have also been left in disrepair as residents await relocation ahead of planned redevelopment. In such conditions, a single spark can quickly turn into a mass-casualty event.
In response, the district office has drawn up a comprehensive safety inspection plan. Starting Wednesday and running through Nov. 6, inspectors will examine 36 occupied jjokbangchon buildings — comprising 308 rooms — in the Yeongdeungpo-dong, Yeongdeungpo Bon-dong and Mullae-dong areas.
Eight high-risk buildings containing 160 rooms, where heavy LPG use raises the likelihood of serious casualties in a fire, will receive joint inspections by specialists from multiple fields. A public-private inspection team will be formed, bringing together the district office, the Yeongdeungpo Jjokbang Counseling Center, Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation, and private experts in fire safety and gas safety.
Inspectors will check for a broad range of fire hazards, including whether fire extinguishers are on hand and properly pressurized, unauthorized electrical connections, aging wiring such as octopus-style multi-outlet setups, whether LPG cylinders are stored and secured safely outdoors, and the condition of electric heaters, space heaters and cooking appliances.
Minor violations found during inspections will be corrected on the spot, and smoke detectors will be installed in households that need them. For issues requiring more substantial repairs, residents will be advised to complete the work before winter sets in, and compliance will be verified — all aimed at preventing fire damage during the cold season.
In addition, the remaining 28 buildings will receive self-inspection checklists for residents to conduct their own checks. Should any resident request an on-site visit, inspectors will respond immediately.
"Given the structural characteristics of jjokbangchon buildings, they are extremely vulnerable to fire, so we plan to go through every corner of these sites together with relevant agencies and experts ahead of winter," a district office official said. "We will do our utmost to prevent fires and eliminate hazards so that residents can get through the cold season safely."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
