A fire broke out in Guryong Village, the last shantytown in Seoul's Gangnam district, producing heavy smoke and prompting 39 residents to evacuate.
The fire started at around 3:50 p.m. on the 27th, according to fire authorities. Firefighters responded to a report saying the blaze appeared to have started at a garbage dump, and 51 vehicles and 168 personnel were deployed to fight the fire. Helicopters were also mobilized at six sites. Police closed the entrance road to Guryong Village next to the Daemo underpass to support firefighting operations.
About an hour after fire authorities issued a Level 1 response, they raised it to Level 2. No injuries have been reported so far. Authorities plan to determine the cause of the fire and the extent of any injuries once the blaze is contained.
In a briefing, fire authorities said no casualties had been confirmed and that the 39 people who evacuated on their own would be moved to temporary shelter.
After the fire broke out, the Gangnam District Office sent an emergency alert text message saying heavy smoke was being generated by the fire in Guryong Village, and asked residents to keep their windows closed and drivers in the area to take detours.