No injuries reported as authorities work to prevent flames from spreading
A fire broke out at Guryong Village in southern Seoul’s Gangnam-gu on Tuesday, sending thick smoke into the air and prompting police to restrict access as firefighters worked to prevent the flames from spreading.
The fire was reported at about 3:50 p.m. No injuries had been reported as of 5 p.m., according to fire authorities.
Firefighters were dispatched after receiving a report that a fire appeared to have started at a garbage collection site. They initially deployed 168 personnel and 51 vehicles and pieces of equipment.
Authorities later expanded the response to mobilize resources from neighboring fire stations, bringing the number of personnel deployed to 210.
The National Fire Agency also mobilized specialized equipment from the National 119 Rescue Headquarters, including an uncrewed firefighting vehicle capable of breaking through obstacles and spraying water.
The agency activated an emergency response team and dispatched an officer to oversee the situation at the scene.
The agency’s chief instructed crews to prioritize firefighter safety, ensure thorough evacuation and rescue efforts, and prevent the flames from spreading. The chief also ordered firefighting helicopters to be mobilized to prevent the fire from reaching a nearby woodland area.
Gangnam-gu Office warned residents through emergency text messages that the fire was causing heavy smoke. It urged them to close their windows and asked motorists to avoid the area.
Police restricted access to the village entrance next to the Daemo Underpass to facilitate firefighting operations.
President Lee Jae Myung instructed authorities to mobilize all available resources to fight the fire and make every effort to rescue residents and ensure their safety, according to senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.
“Also ensure the safety of the firefighters dispatched to the scene,” Lee added.
shwang9@heraldcorp.com
