A major fire in Seoul’s Gangnam district slum prompted a large-scale response, evacuating 47 residents amid concerns it could spread to a nearby mountain.
SEOUL: Nearly 300 South Korean firefighters were deployed to battle a major blaze in a deprived area of the affluent Gangnam district on Friday.
A fire official confirmed the operation, stating no casualties had been reported so far.
The Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters said 47 residents were evacuated from the scene.
ALSO READ: Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 168, investigation continues
Authorities escalated the fire alert to the second-highest level due to concerns it could spread to a nearby mountain.
A total of 85 fire trucks were dispatched to the area known as Guryong Village.
Officials could not deploy a firefighting helicopter because haze and fine dust shrouded the city.
South Korean Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung ordered the full mobilisation of all available personnel and equipment.
He instructed teams to focus completely on rescuing lives and extinguishing the fire, according to the Yonhap News Agency.
Guryong Village is a pocket of ramshackle housing within one of Seoul’s wealthiest districts.
The slum area is slated for redevelopment into high-rise residential buildings. – Reuters
