A significant fire engulfed Guryong Village, an impoverished enclave within Seoul’s affluent Gangnam district, early Friday morning, prompting a massive emergency response. Approximately 300 firefighters mobilized to combat the blaze that broke out around 5:10 AM local time (2010 GMT Thursday), with authorities subsequently elevating the fire alert to the second-highest level amid concerns the flames could spread to adjacent mountainous terrain.
Fire and disaster officials confirmed the evacuation of 47 residents from the affected area, with no immediate reports of casualties. Yonhap News Agency indicated approximately 110 individuals were residing in the fire-impacted zone. Emergency efforts faced substantial challenges as dense haze and fine dust pollution prevented the deployment of firefighting helicopters, forcing crews to rely solely on ground operations with 85 fire trucks.
Elderly residents, many wearing protective masks, were witnessed fleeing their homes as thick black smoke billowed over the neighborhood. Kim Ok-im, a 69-year-old longtime resident, described waking to a neighbor’s alert and discovering rapidly spreading flames. ‘A few years ago, a flood swept everything away, and now it feels like fire will take the rest,’ she expressed, voicing concerns about potential homelessness.
South Korean Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung directed officials to deploy all available personnel and equipment prioritizing life rescue and fire containment operations. The incident highlights the persistent vulnerabilities of Guryong Village, often described as Seoul’s largest remaining shantytown. This informal settlement emerged decades ago when families displaced by public works projects—including preparations for the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Seoul Olympics—established unauthorized dwellings on Gangnam’s periphery.
The area’s structural characteristics contribute significantly to fire risks, with makeshift homes densely packed and constructed from highly combustible materials including vinyl sheets, plywood, and Styrofoam. These vulnerabilities were previously documented in fire department assessments following a 2023 blaze. While most residents have relocated ahead of planned redevelopment into high-rise residential complexes, approximately 336 households remained in the village according to Gangnam District urban planning authorities.