Flames rage at Guryong Village, Gangnam’s “last shantytown”... Fire response raised to Level 2

[Financial News]  A fire broke out on the 27th at Guryong Village, known as Seoul’s “last shantytown,” in Gangnam District. Fire authorities declared a Level 2 response and are making every effort to extinguish the blaze. Given the densely packed shantytown, concerns that the flames could spread to surrounding areas grew, prompting the deployment of specialized equipment from the National 119 Rescue Headquarters.
According to the National Fire Agency (NFA), a report of a fire at Guryong Village, 597-8 Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, was received at around 3:49 p.m. that day. Fire authorities declared a Level 1 response at 3:59 p.m. and raised it to Level 2 at 4:29 p.m.
The NFA explained that it raised the response level because the area is vulnerable to fires and there were concerns the flames could spread to nearby shantytowns.
Fire authorities are working to extinguish the blaze with 168 personnel and 51 units of equipment. The NFA deployed specialized equipment, including an unmanned demolition-and-water-spraying vehicle from the National 119 Rescue Headquarters, and activated a situation-response team. It also dispatched an on-site situation management officer to oversee the response.
The NFA chief ordered officials to make the safety of responders at the scene their top priority, ensure the thorough evacuation of residents and rescue of people, and make every effort to prevent the flames from spreading. The chief also ordered firefighting helicopters to be deployed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby forests.
Yun Ho-jung, the minister of the interior and safety, also issued an urgent order that day to relevant agencies, including the NFA, the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Gangnam-gu, to mobilize all available personnel and equipment and make every effort to extinguish the fire and rescue people.
Yun urged officials to evacuate nearby residents quickly to prevent casualties and do everything possible to prevent firefighters from being injured during firefighting operations. He called on police to take every measure to control the area around the fire scene.
Large amounts of smoke billowed from the fire scene, prompting measures to protect residents and control traffic.
Gangnam-gu Office sent a safety alert text message saying, “A large amount of smoke is being generated by the fire at Guryong Village,” and advising, “Residents, please close your windows, and vehicles in the area, please take a detour.”
Police are controlling the road leading into Guryong Village beside Daemo Underpass to facilitate firefighting efforts.
Guryong Village is known as the last shantytown in Seoul’s Gangnam area. Its residential buildings are densely packed, making it an area where flames could spread to surrounding areas if a fire breaks out.
The NFA said no casualties had been confirmed so far. Fire authorities will focus on extinguishing the blaze while investigating its exact cause and the extent of the damage.
[email protected] Lee Bomi Reporter