A fire erupted on Friday at a shopping complex in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, south of Seoul, triggering the evacuation of dozens of individuals.
The eight-story commercial building, which also features five basement levels, houses a mix of parking facilities, sports centers, restaurants, retail stores, and hospitals.
According to the Gyeonggi provincial fire department, the blaze was first reported at 4:37 pm (local time), with flames and smoke visible from the lower part of the structure. Firefighters have yet to confirm any injuries or determine whether anyone remains inside. As of 5 pm (local time), no casualties had been reported.
Scale of the response
Fire authorities quickly escalated their response, issuing a “second-stage” alert at 4:43 pm (local time), as reported by the Korea Times. This alert level mobilises between 51 to 80 fire trucks and personnel from eight to 14 fire departments, reflecting the seriousness of the situation and the potential for mass casualties.
Television footage broadcast by local media showed intense flames and plumes of smoke billowing from the building, particularly from its underground sections.
Firefighters are continuing their efforts to extinguish the fire and secure the building. The cause of the blaze and details surrounding its ignition remain under investigation.
Authorities plan to assess the damage and conduct a thorough investigation once the fire is fully contained, Korea Times reported.