10 Injured Including Residents and Firefighters in Busan Officetel Fire... 8 Rescued from Rooftop Evacuation (Update 2)

Welding sparks spread to exterior wall, 5 residents, 2 workers, 2 firefighters, and 1 manager hospitalized

On the morning of the 9th, welding sparks ignited a large fire spreading along the exterior wall of an officetel building in Anrak-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan, originating from the underground parking lot. Firefighters who arrived at the scene are conducting extinguishing and rescue operations. [Image source=Busan Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] At around 11:06 a.m. on the 9th, a fire broke out in an officetel in Allak-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan, injuring 10 people including 2 firefighters who were transported to the hospital, and 8 residents were trapped on the rooftop but were rescued.

According to Busan police and fire authorities, sparks flew during welding work by workers in the basement level 1, spreading along the exterior wall to the upper floors.

Due to the fire, a total of 10 people including 5 residents, 2 workers, 2 firefighters, and 1 management office staff inhaled smoke and were transported to the hospital for treatment.

Four vehicles in the parking lot were either completely burned or partially damaged. Eight residents living on the upper floors evacuated to the rooftop and were all rescued about an hour after the fire broke out. The rescued residents include 5 women, 1 man, and 2 children, with no serious injuries reported.

Firefighters and 25 fire trucks were dispatched to carry out firefighting and rescue operations, and the police deployed 4 patrol cars from the local police station and 1 traffic patrol car to support the rescue efforts.

By around 1 p.m., the major fire was extinguished, but smoke continues to rise as the exterior wall is made of Dryvit material that retains heat.