Seoul's Guryong Village, a well-known illegal shantytown in Gangnam, experienced a rapidly spreading fire due to strong winds, displacing over 100 residents. The fire department has issued a near-highest level response and is conducting extensive firefighting efforts with helicopters and a large number of personnel.
According to the fire department and the Gangnam District Office, the fire broke out around 3:50 p.m. in a temporary structure within Guryong Village's second district, with the cause still unknown. The flames quickly spread to nearby areas, fueled by the lightweight, flammable materials used in the housing structures and the strong winds.
Initially moving west toward Guryongsan, the fire changed direction with the wind and rapidly spread south to the first, third, fifth, and seventh districts. Approximately 40 minutes after the fire started, at 4:29 p.m., authorities declared a level 2 response, deploying 232 firefighters, six helicopters, and 110 pieces of equipment to the scene.
As of now, there have been no confirmed casualties, but the fire has engulfed key residential areas, leading to a growing number of affected households. The Gangnam District Office reported that 77 households and 107 residents have been displaced from the first, second, and third districts. The district office has established temporary shelters in the gymnasiums of Gaepo Middle School and Guryong Middle School to protect residents.
Guryong Village is densely populated with shanties made from fire-prone materials such as vinyl and plywood, and the narrow alleys make it difficult for fire trucks to access the area.
The situation has worsened, with multiple explosions from tangled LP gas tanks heard throughout the village, complicating firefighting efforts. Police and local authorities continue to control nearby roads and assist remaining residents in evacuating.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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