Huge Pillar of Fire in Downtown Busan... Exterior Wall Acts as Kindling

Starting from the lower floors of the parking tower, expanding to the upper floors

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] In the early morning of the 9th, a fire broke out in a parking tower of an officetel in Busan, causing dozens of people to inhale smoke and evacuate.

According to the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, the fire occurred around 6:32 a.m. at the officetel parking tower in Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu. The fire authorities deployed 523 personnel and over 100 pieces of equipment, and the fire was completely extinguished at 2:37 p.m., eight hours after it started.

A parking tower in Busan where a fire broke out on the 9th. Photo by Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters

The building consists of three underground floors and 23 above-ground floors, with an officetel building housing 552 households connected to the parking tower. Although there were no casualties from the fire, 73 residents living between the 5th and 23rd floors evacuated, and about 30 people inhaled smoke. Among them, seven were taken to the hospital due to dizziness and other symptoms, but their lives are not in danger.

The fire started at the lower exterior wall of the parking tower and rapidly spread in a V shape to the upper floors of the building, burning the entire exterior wall on one side of the building.

Meanwhile, the fire authorities plan to conduct a joint investigation tomorrow to determine the exact cause of the fire.