The fire was completely extinguished at 9:59 a.m., but rescue workers are searching through parts of the hospital building filled with smoke and toxic gases, they said.

According to the officials, no injuries were reported, but eight people who inhaled smoke were transferred to other buildings of the hospital complex, one of the largest in South Korea.

Shortly after the fire started, about 300 people, including patients, escaped outside, while firemen guided another 100 to safety.

About 100 patients and their caregivers also escaped to the rooftop and returned to their rooms later.

One of the patients who went to the rooftop and a cancer patient requiring emergency treatment unrelated to the fire were moved by a fire helicopter to another hospital, the officials said. (Yonhap)