A tragic fire at the Safety Industrial factory in Daejeon, which resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals, is now under scrutiny as former employees reveal long-standing concerns regarding fire hazards linked to oil accumulation in the dust collection systems. A former factory worker shared insights about the manufacturing process, indicating that the connection between high-temperature machinery and dust collectors could lead to dangerous conditions. Video evidence taken by the employee shows the setup as it existed until 2018, raising alarms over potential fire risks that may have been ignored.

The ex-employee described how combustible dust and sparks produced during the metal forging process were drawn into the dust collection system, suggesting that existing oil buildup within these systems could exacerbate any blaze by allowing flames to spread more rapidly. The current state of the dust collectors, which reportedly are not cleaned internally on a regular basis, adds to concerns that the facility might have not been adequately maintained to prevent such disasters. Previous minor fires due to vapor incidents were suppressed almost instantly, but this recent incident, occurring during lunchtime, led to a devastating outcome.

Fire authorities have since pointed to oil vapor and buildup within the factory as significant contributing factors to the rapid spread of the flames. Daejeon's fire chief highlighted that the factory's processes heavily rely on cutting oils, resulting in substantial accumulation of combustible materials within the facility. Although it remains unclear whether the dust collection system specifically ignited the fire, the cumulative dangers posed by oil and vapor have prompted significant scrutiny regarding operational safety standards within the industry, questioning whether adequate precautions were in place to mitigate such risks in the future.