October tops 5-year tally with 412 fires, September follows with 401

Authorities urge residents to stay at the stove and clear nearby flammables

A firefighter conducts a cooking-oil fire simulation at the Daejeon Dongbu Fire Station parking lot on Thursday. Daejeon fire authorities said the demonstration — which also tested ignition risks from portable battery packs — was held ahead of the chuseok holiday to raise public awareness of fire prevention during cooking. [Provided by Daejeon city government]
A firefighter conducts a cooking-oil fire simulation at the Daejeon Dongbu Fire Station parking lot on Thursday. Daejeon fire authorities said the demonstration — which also tested ignition risks from portable battery packs — was held ahead of the chuseok holiday to raise public awareness of fire prevention during cooking. [Provided by Daejeon city government]

Cooking-related fires in Seoul are heavily concentrated in September and October, data show, prompting authorities to urge extra caution during the chuseok holiday season, when households cook more intensively for ancestral rites and family gatherings.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Fire and Disaster Headquarters, 27,547 fires broke out in Seoul over the past five years from 2021 to 2025, of which 3,982 — roughly one in seven — were linked to food preparation.

Breaking the figures down by month, October recorded the highest number of cooking fires at 412, followed by September at 401. Both months overlap with the chuseok holiday period. The gap with the third-highest month, May, was wide at 350 fires.

The headquarters said the pattern reflects the surge in home cooking that accompanies the holiday, which typically falls in September or October, and stressed the need for heightened fire prevention during this period.

To prevent cooking fires, residents should never leave the stove unattended and should clear flammable materials away from gas ranges and other heat sources before cooking. When preparing jeon pancakes, deep-fried dishes or other foods requiring cooking oil, cooks should take care not to let the oil overheat and must confirm that all burners are fully extinguished after finishing.

If oil does catch fire, pouring water on it will cause the burning oil to splatter and spread the flames. The headquarters urged residents to use a Class K kitchen fire extinguisher in such situations.

"During chuseok, food preparation and the use of cooking appliances increase compared to normal days, meaning a small moment of carelessness can lead to a fire," said Hong Yeong-geun, head of the headquarters. "We ask all citizens to follow basic safety rules — such as never leaving food unattended on the stove — so that you and your families can enjoy a safe and comfortable holiday."


ken@heraldcorp.com