Notification Headquarters and On-Site Emergency Medical Stations Immediately Established at Fire Scene...
Rapid Response and Support for the Injured
Burn Surgery Costs Covered by Gwanak-gu Resident Safety Insurance for Fire Victims,
With Additional Coverage Available Through Seoul Citizen Safety Insurance
Gwanak District (District Mayor Park Junhee) has begun recovery efforts and implemented emergency measures following a fire that broke out around 8 a.m. on April 21 in a 21-story apartment building in Bongcheon-dong.
The fire resulted in a total of seven casualties, including one fatality. Six injured individuals were transported to the hospital. Seven non-emergency patients were also reported but were able to return home after receiving on-site care.
Immediately after confirming the fire, the district's Disaster and Safety Situation Room was dispatched to the scene, where an integrated support center was established to coordinate the response. The district public health center set up an on-site emergency medical station within the apartment complex and operated triage stations for minor and severe injuries, providing treatment on-site or transferring patients to hospitals as needed.
The fire was completely extinguished by around 10 a.m. After completing much of the on-site recovery, the district held an emergency meeting with relevant departments that afternoon to discuss support measures for victims, displaced residents, and residents of the affected building exposed to smoke.
As an initial response, the district set up "on-site registration centers for displaced residents" at the apartment management office, nearby community center, and comprehensive social welfare center to assess the status of affected households.
For burn victims, the Gwanak-gu Resident Safety Insurance provides partial coverage for burn surgery costs with no limit on the number of procedures. In addition, overlapping coverage is available through the Seoul Citizen Safety Insurance, which also provides compensation in the event of aftereffects resulting from the fire.
Emergency relief kits, including tents and clothing, as well as cooking relief kits, were distributed to displaced residents. The district secured 35 rooms across three shelters for evacuees, providing support for meal and accommodation expenses. Living expenses will also be provided according to the Seoul-type emergency welfare program.
The district will carry out emergency repairs on the city gas pipes of the affected apartment building, which were damaged by the fire. On April 21, the district provided ready-to-eat meals to residents of the building, and until April 27, residents may claim meal expenses from the district based on three meals per day. Restoration of damaged households and relocation support will be handled by the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation.
On April 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the district will operate the "Seoul Mind Health Bus" near the affected apartment building, offering disaster psychological counseling for residents who suffered direct or indirect harm from the fire.
District Mayor Park Junhee stated, "We will do our utmost to support the recovery so that the injured can heal both physically and emotionally, and so that apartment residents can return to their daily lives in safety."
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