“It’s our shop, so it’s fine” ... Smoking beside an LPG cylinder sparks controversy [What do you think?]

[Financial News] A man was seen smoking right beside a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage cylinder, prompting concerns about safety risks. An ashtray had even been placed there, and some have claimed that people have been seen smoking in the same spot on multiple occasions.
Recently, a post criticizing a man for smoking beside an LPG cylinder was shared on the Instagram account of Bobaedream, an online community.
The person who reported the incident said they spotted a man smoking right beside an LPG cylinder installed at a commercial building at around 7:50 p.m. on the 3rd. Concerned about the risk of fire, the reporter asked him, “It’s dangerous, so please smoke somewhere else.”
The man reportedly responded that there was no problem because it was his own shop. According to the person who reported the incident, the man refused to comply with the request to stop smoking, saying, “It’s our shop, so it’s fine” and “The shop told me to smoke here.” An ashtray had also been placed beside the cylinder.
There were also claims that smoking at the location had happened repeatedly. The person who reported the incident said, “This wasn’t just something I happened to see once. I’ve seen someone smoking there at least 10 times so far.”
It is important to keep sources of ignition under control around LPG storage facilities to prevent fires and explosions. Even a small spark can lead to a major accident if gas has leaked. If an explosion were to occur, it could cause casualties and property damage not only at the shop in question but also at nearby businesses and buildings, and among pedestrians.
Relevant laws also prohibit smoking at LPG filling stations. The current Safety Control and Business of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act prohibits smoking in all areas of filling stations and in vehicles, and provides for an administrative fine of up to 1 million won for violations.
Online, criticism continued that smoking near a gas cylinder could put other people’s safety at risk as well.
Some internet users said that a fire or explosion could also damage nearby businesses and called for action by the relevant authorities. They commented, “Keep that up and he’ll suffer the consequences one day. Only then will he cry and regret it”; “If it explodes, do you think only his shop will be blown away? The whole area could be laid to waste”; and “Someone should file a complaint with the district office responsible.”


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter