A significant fire ripped through a densely packed informal settlement in the heart of South Korea's upscale Gangnam district early on Friday morning, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of residents.
The blaze ignited shortly after 5am local time in Guryong village, an area frequently cited as Seoul's last remaining shantytown and long identified by authorities as being at extreme risk of fire.
Emergency Response and Evacuation
Fire officials confirmed that over 250 residents were safely evacuated as flames spread rapidly through the tightly packed community. Temporary shelters were quickly established at nearby schools, with local hotels also providing accommodation for those displaced.
Nearly 300 firefighters were deployed to tackle the inferno, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters. Crews faced significant challenges, with helicopters grounded due to heavy haze and fine dust, forcing a reliance on 85 fire engines and ground operations alone.
The alert level was escalated to the second-highest tier amid fears the fire could spread to adjacent forested mountain areas. After an intense eight-hour battle, the National Fire Agency announced the fire was fully extinguished, thankfully with no reported injuries.
Resident Accounts and Ongoing Vulnerabilities
Broadcast footage showed thick, black smoke billowing over southern Seoul as elderly residents, some wearing face masks, fled the scene. One long-term resident, 69-year-old Kim Ok-im, told Reuters she had lived in the village for nearly thirty years and had been awoken by a neighbour's warning.
"I ran out and saw the flames already spreading," she said, reflecting on previous disasters. "A few years ago, a flood swept everything away, and now it feels like fire will take the rest."
The fire is believed to have started in a vacant home before spreading to neighbouring structures. The settlement, a stark contrast to the surrounding luxury high-rises, is composed of homes built from highly flammable materials like vinyl sheeting, plywood, and Styrofoam.
Aftermath and Investigation
Smoke from the blaze drifted into neighbouring districts, prompting officials to advise residents to keep windows closed and wear masks if outdoors. South Korea’s Interior and Safety Minister, Yun Ho-jung, ordered authorities to mobilise all available resources to prioritise life safety and firefighting efforts.
While Guryong village is slated for redevelopment, hundreds of households remain. Fire authorities have stated that a formal investigation into the exact cause and full extent of the damage will commence once the site is completely secured.
