SEOUL - A large-scale fire broke out on Friday in South Korea's automotive parts manufacturing factory, leaving 53 injured and 14 others missing, according to Yonhap news agency.

The blaze started at about 1:17 pm local time (0417 GMT) at the factory in Daejeon, around 140 km southeast of capital Seoul.

As of 3:30 pm local time, 24 people were seriously wounded and 29 people suffered slight injuries.

Some of the victims suffered smoke inhalation, while others sustained injuries after jumping from the burning plant.

Of the 170 employees working inside the factory at the time of the incident, 14 remained unaccounted for.

Less than an hour after the initial report, the National Fire Agency issued a national fire mobilization order to deploy firefighting resources from other regions to the affected area.

About 90 fire trucks and equipment as well as some 200 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, while the Korea Forest Service helicopters helped battle the blaze.

Rescue workers had yet to enter the factory due to the risk of building collapse and chemical explosions.

One of the two prefabricated buildings of the factory, connected by a walkway, was completely destroyed, and the flames spread to the other building.

Inside the building, about 200 kg of sodium was reportedly stored, raising the risk of explosions.