An investigation into the cause of the fire in Guryong Village, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, has been ongoing for two days.
According to the fire authorities on the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the 21st, the police and fire departments have been cooperating to investigate the cause of the fire since it broke out on the 20th. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The authorities are conducting investigations with village residents and are focusing on identifying the cause while keeping all possibilities open. The fire department considers arson unlikely but will continue the investigation without ruling it out, stating that "it is expected to take about 3 to 4 weeks to determine the exact cause."
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited Guryong Village again on the morning of the 21st to check on the recovery status, following his visit the previous day. Accompanying him at the site were Kim Hyun-gi, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, and Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu. On the same day, Gangnam-gu distributed rice cake soup ingredients and broth to the residents of Guryong Village. The district plans to coordinate with companies to provide household goods and daily necessities to residents who will move back after the village is restored.
The fire in Guryong Village started at around 6:27 a.m. the previous day and was completely extinguished at approximately 11:46 a.m., about five hours later. The fire destroyed about 60 houses made of vinyl and plywood, totaling 2,700 square meters, and about 500 residents evacuated. No casualties have been reported. A total of 63 people were displaced by the fire. Except for 8 who chose to stay with relatives, all are currently staying at nearby hotels.
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