Blaze erupts in temporary structure at 3:50 p.m.

70 fire trucks, 232 firefighters deployed

6 helicopters mobilized to stop spread to nearby hills

No casualties reported; temporary shelter being arranged

Firefighters check for casualties after a fire broke out Tuesday at Guryong Village in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. [Provided by reader]
Firefighters check for casualties after a fire broke out Tuesday at Guryong Village in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. [Provided by reader]

A fire broke out Tuesday at Guryong Village in Gaepodong, widely known as Seoul's last remaining shantytown, forcing 39 residents to evacuate. Fire authorities declared a Level 2 emergency response and deployed 70 pieces of equipment — including six helicopters — along with 232 firefighters to battle the blaze.

According to fire authorities, the fire started around 3:50 p.m. Tuesday in a temporary structure in District 2 of Guryong Village in Gangnam-gu.

Authorities issued a Level 1 response at 3:59 p.m., just nine minutes after the fire was reported. As the flames spread, they upgraded the response to Level 2 at 4:29 p.m.

No injuries or missing persons have been confirmed. All 39 residents are believed to have evacuated on their own immediately after the fire broke out.

Fire authorities are working to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby hills, deploying six helicopters as part of an all-out firefighting effort.

Black smoke from the scene spread widely enough to be visible as far away as Dobong-gu in Seoul and Anyang in Gyeonggi Province.

Gangnam-gu District Office sent an emergency text alert warning of heavy smoke from the Guryong Village fire and urging residents to close their windows and drivers to take detour routes.

Police closed off the Guryong Village access road beside the Daemo underground overpass to allow fire trucks to enter and operate without obstruction.

Accounts emerged from residents who were unable to return to their homes.

One resident, whose home is believed to be where the fire started, said, "I came back from an outing and the place was already on fire."

Another resident who said he had lived in Guryong Village for 40 years said, "I came back from the market and found it like this. I cannot even get into my house — I am just standing here."

Guryong Village is a densely packed settlement of shacks built from flammable materials such as vinyl sheeting, plywood and insulating cotton. The narrow gaps between structures allow fire to spread rapidly, and tight access roads make it difficult for fire trucks to reach the scene.

The village is considered a high fire-risk area, with liquefied petroleum gas canisters and electrical wiring tangled throughout. Fires — large and small — have broken out there multiple times in the past, including one in January this year.

The resident population has dropped sharply as a redevelopment project has progressed. According to the Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation, the number of households has fallen from a peak of 1,107 to just 54 households with 54 residents.

Gangnam-gu District Office said it plans to arrange temporary accommodation for residents displaced by the fire.

Once the fire is brought under control, authorities said they will investigate the exact cause and assess the extent of property damage.


sjy@heraldcorp.com