Fire Breaks Out at Guryong Village in Gangnam; Roads Closed in Response

Response Level 1 Issued: Firefighting Equipment and Excavators Deployed
25 Households Displaced... Ministry of the Interior and Safety Orders Full Mobilization

In the early morning of January 16, a fire broke out at Guryong Village in Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The fire authorities are currently working to contain the blaze and are maintaining their emergency response level to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby hills.

The fire authorities, concerned that the fire could spread to the adjacent hills, issued Response Level 1 at around 5:10 a.m. on the same day. Response Level 1 is declared for fires that can be extinguished with the personnel and equipment of the local fire station.

Fire suppression site at Guryong Village, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters

A total of 427 personnel, including 234 firefighters, 120 district office workers, and 70 police officers, along with 69 pieces of equipment, have been deployed for the firefighting operation. Three firefighting helicopters and three excavators have also been requested. As of now, no casualties have been reported.

According to the Gangnam District Office, approximately 25 households out of the 30 households residing in Guryong Village have been displaced. Guryong Village, known as the "last shantytown" in the Gangnam area, is scheduled for redevelopment.

Currently, three lower lanes of Yangjae-daero, leading from Guryong Tunnel to the entrance of Guryong Village, are closed due to fire response operations.

Yoon Ho-joong, Minister of the Interior and Safety, also ordered the full mobilization of all available personnel and equipment. Minister Yoon directed, "Relevant agencies such as the National Fire Agency, National Police Agency, Seoul Metropolitan Government, and Gangnam District Office must mobilize all available personnel and equipment to focus on rescue operations and firefighting, and thoroughly check vacant homes for any residents. Please do your utmost to ensure the rapid and thorough evacuation of residents and to prevent any safety accidents among firefighters during the firefighting process."