A Battery Fire on the Subway Prevented a Major Accident Thanks to the Swift Response of Passengers and Station Staff

A battery belonging to a Japanese tourist suddenly caught fire inside a Line 4 train, but it was extinguished without significant damage due to the quick and calm response of passengers and station staff.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Subway on the 28th, around 10:21 PM on the 27th, smoke suddenly emerged from a battery in an eco-bag held by a Japanese tourist on a Line 4 train heading toward Bulamsan Station.

In this emergency situation, nearby passengers immediately attempted to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher located in the train and quickly reported the incident to the crew through the emergency communication system, which played a critical role in preventing a larger accident.

Upon receiving the report, the crew member promptly relayed the situation to the Integrated Control Center, which then directed the fire response team to Illoong Station, where the train was approaching.

At that time, Deputy Station Chief Kim Tae-gi and Station Supervisor Seo Dong-soon, who were on duty at Illoong Station, quickly moved to the scene with a fire extinguisher.

Upon arriving at the train, the two station staff members moved the burning battery and the tourist's luggage outside the train and carried out secondary extinguishing operations.

Simultaneously, measures were taken to safely evacuate the approximately 100 passengers on board.

The Importance of Subway Safety Systems and Response Training

This incident fortunately concluded with only the tourist's eco-bag and battery being destroyed, thanks to the rapid initial response of the passengers and the systematic follow-up actions by the station staff.

There were no injuries or damage to the train.

Since this year, the Seoul Metropolitan Subway has implemented special training and education to prepare for fire incidents involving portable power devices (PM) or mobile phone batteries carried by passengers, and the response to this incident has been recognized as a case where such preparations were effectively applied in a real situation.

Seo Ilgan, Head of the Sales Department at the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, expressed gratitude, stating, "I sincerely thank the station staff who accurately mastered the response methods through training and education, and the citizens who quickly took initial action." He continued, "I will recommend the citizen who helped for recognition as a subway hero and advocate for a reward."

This incident served as a reminder of the importance of subway safety systems and highlighted how crucial cooperation between citizens and employees is in emergencies.

Image source: Seoul Metropolitan Subway, Photo=Insight, Material photo for better understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank