Dozens rescued after fire engulfs South Korea building, emergency department says
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
The victims' injuries were mostly classified as minor, the fire department said.
PHOTO: GYEONGGI FIRE AND DISASTER HEADQUARTERS
SEOUL - A fire and thick smoke engulfed an eight-storey building in the South Korean city of Seongnam on Jan 3, sending 12 people to hospital with smoke inhalation, the fire department said.
The injuries were mostly classified as minor, it said.
About 70 to 80 people sought refuge on the rooftop, and some 30 individuals who were trapped in the basement were rescued, the department added.
No casualties have been reported so far.
Approximately 40 people were rescued by emergency services, while an additional 50 individuals evacuated the building on their own when the fire broke out.
The fire department deployed 82 vehicles and equipment south of Seoul to bring the blaze under control, after the fire started in a restaurant on the ground floor of the busy commercial building, which also housed a swimming pool where children take lessons.
Emergency services received a call about the fire at 4.37pm local time.
The authorities issued a Level 2 firefighting response at 4.43pm. This level of response involves mobilising equipment and personnel from eight to 14 fire stations, with 51 to 80 fire service forces.
The initial fire was brought under control, and the response level was downgraded to Level 1 by 5.18pm.
Earlier, YTN television reported that multiple people were trapped inside, with footage showing black smoke engulfing a large part of the building. REUTERS, THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
