Guryong Village fire continues to burn even in daytime winds

A large fire broke out in Guryong Village in Seoul around noon on Friday, and the flames have yet to be brought under control more than three hours after it started. With strong winds fanning the blaze and thick black smoke continuing to billow, firefighting efforts are struggling. Strong winds began picking up in the afternoon, hampering the firefighting operation.

Guryong Village is a densely packed settlement of shacks built with plywood and plastic sheeting. With many households using coal briquette boilers and heating oil, along with aging electrical wiring, the fire risk had been known to be high.

President Lee Jae-myung ordered the mobilization of all available resources to rescue residents. Fire authorities have deployed some 200 personnel and firefighting helicopters to battle the blaze.

A major fire also broke out in Guryong Village in January, taking eight hours to bring under control. Authorities are continuing their firefighting efforts.