Unauthorized renovations blamed for high casualties in fire at car parts plant in Daejeon | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK DAEJEON, March 23 (Yonhap) -- Unauthorized structural changes are suspected to have led to a high number of casualties in an auto parts plant fire in the central city of Daejeon last week, officials have said. Authorities are looking into the exact cause of the fire, with oil mist and residue at the plant suspected to have added fuel to the blaze. This photo, taken March 21, 2026, shows the aftermath of a massive blaze that broke out at an auto parts plant in Daejeon, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap) yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (LEAD) Lee vows thorough probe into Daejeon car parts plant fire (4th LD) 14 killed in car parts plant fire in Daejeon (6th LD) 1 of 14 missing found in cardiac arrest in Daejeon plant fire; 55 injured Keywords #fire #Daejeon plant Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul S. Korea's Kim reappointed as president of state affairs Lee excludes officials with multiple homes from real estate policymaking Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Fans leave BTS concert Gwanghwamun crowded as BTS set to hold concert BTS holds comeback concert After BTS concert prev Unauthorized renovations blamed for high casualties in fire at car parts plant in Daejeon Next Unauthorized renovations blamed for high casualties in fire at car parts plant in Daejeon

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DAEJEON, March 23 (Yonhap) -- Unauthorized structural changes are suspected to have led to a high number of casualties in an auto parts plant fire in the central city of Daejeon last week, officials have said.
The massive blaze, which broke out Friday, has left 14 people killed and 60 others injured. Firefighters fully extinguished the flames after nearly 11 hours.
Of the casualties, nine people were found dead inside a gym that doubled as the factory's break room. The area, which was not part of the structure's floor plan, appears to have been built without authorities' approval.
Officials believe workers who had been resting in the area faced difficulties in evacuating when the fire broke out due to its complex layout.
Authorities are looking into the exact cause of the fire, with oil mist and residue at the plant suspected to have added fuel to the blaze.
An industrial safety union official said the union had asked the company to improve its fire safety measures, adding that it had voiced concerns about a build-up of oil mist and residue.
This photo, taken March 21, 2026, shows the aftermath of a massive blaze that broke out at an auto parts plant in Daejeon, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- This photo, taken March 21, 2026, shows the aftermath of a massive blaze that broke out at an auto parts plant in Daejeon, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap) yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (LEAD) Lee vows thorough probe into Daejeon car parts plant fire (4th LD) 14 killed in car parts plant fire in Daejeon (6th LD) 1 of 14 missing found in cardiac arrest in Daejeon plant fire; 55 injured Keywords #fire #Daejeon plant Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul S.

### Implications
- This photo, taken March 21, 2026, shows the aftermath of a massive blaze that broke out at an auto parts plant in Daejeon, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap) yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (LEAD) Lee vows thorough probe into Daejeon car parts plant fire (4th LD) 14 killed in car parts plant fire in Daejeon (6th LD) 1 of 14 missing found in cardiac arrest in Daejeon plant fire; 55 injured Keywords #fire #Daejeon plant Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul S.
- Korean man at club (LEAD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers fire, daejeon, plant topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 536.