DAEJEON, South Korea, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A large-scale fire broke out Friday at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon in South Korea, leaving 55 people injured and 14 others missing, local fire authorities confirmed.

Fire officials on site told Xinhua that, at around 10:30 p.m. local time, an initial structural safety diagnosis was completed, and rescue teams had entered the building from the second floor to begin search operations.

Earlier, entry had been delayed due to concerns over possible collapse. Rescue workers were observed using cranes and drones to assess the structural stability of the damaged buildings in order to determine whether nighttime search operations can be carried out.

The blaze started at about 1:17 p.m. local time (0417 GMT) at the factory, located about 140 km southeast of Seoul. At the time of the incident, around 170 employees were inside the facility, of whom 101 had been evacuated.

The number of injured has risen to 55, including 24 in serious condition and 31 with minor injuries. Some victims suffered from smoke inhalation, while others were injured after jumping from the burning building.

Less than an hour after the fire was reported, the National Fire Agency issued a nationwide mobilization order, dispatching firefighting resources from across the country. About 90 fire trucks and equipment, along with some 200 firefighters, have been deployed, while helicopters from the Korea Forest Service were also mobilized to help contain the blaze.

The factory consists of two prefabricated buildings connected by a walkway. One building has been destroyed, and flames have spread to the other. Authorities said approximately 200 kg of sodium was stored inside the facility, raising concerns over possible explosions.

The Chinese embassy in South Korea told Xinhua that, as of now, there have been no reports of Chinese nationals among the injured or missing in the fire.