Busan Bongnaesan Wildfire Occurs, Temple Daeungjeon and 25,000㎡ of Forest Burned Down

A fire broke out at a temple on Bongrae Mountain in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, and the fire department is extinguishing it. [Image source=Busan Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] A fire broke out at a temple on Bongrae Mountain in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, completely burning down the Daeungjeon Hall and 25,000㎡ of surrounding forest land.

According to the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, a fire of unknown cause occurred at Hoguk Gwaneumsa Temple in Yeongdo-gu at around 5:31 a.m. on the 16th.

The flames completely destroyed the temple's Daeungjeon Hall and spread to the nearby hills.

A total of about 850 personnel, including 35 fire trucks, 3 helicopters, fire department, district office, Yeongdo Police Station, and 4 platoons of the riot police, were mobilized to carry out firefighting operations.

There were no casualties from the fire, but the Daeungjeon Hall of Hoguk Gwaneumsa Temple was completely destroyed, and 25,000㎡ of forest on Bongrae Mountain was lost.

The police agency stated, "The main fire was extinguished around 10 a.m., and mop-up operations are ongoing," adding, "The exact cause of the fire is under investigation."