A significant fire occurred in Guryong Village, a makeshift community located on the outskirts of Seoul's Gangnam district, early Friday morning. The blaze, which started around 5 AM local time, prompted authorities to elevate the fire alert to the second-highest level.
Approximately 300 firefighters and 85 fire trucks were deployed to manage the incident and prevent its spread to a nearby mountain. Initial reports indicated no casualties, though dozens of residents were evacuated from their homes.
Guryong Village is characterized by densely packed housing constructed from highly flammable materials such as vinyl sheets, plywood, and styrofoam, making it susceptible to fires. The village originated in the 1970s and 1980s when low-income residents settled without permits after being displaced by Seoul's major redevelopment projects, including those for the Asian Games and Seoul Olympics.
While most residents have relocated over time, approximately 336 households still reside in Guryong Village, which Yonhap News Agency described as "one of the last remaining shanty towns in Seoul." Poor visibility prevented a firefighting helicopter from participating in the operation.