A fire occurs at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul on the morning of the 25th. /Courtesy of Internet Capture

A fire broke out at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, on the 25th. The large flames were extinguished in about 30 minutes.

According to the fire authorities, a report was received around 11:06 a.m. that a fire had occurred in a restaurant on the second floor inside COEX. An official from the Gangnam Fire Station noted, "A report was received that a fire broke out in a restaurant's flue at COEX."

The fire authorities arrived on the scene at around 11:10 a.m., four minutes after the report was received, and began firefighting efforts. They deployed 33 vehicles and 121 personnel, and around 11:42 a.m., about 30 minutes after the fire broke out, they managed to control the large flames. They are currently working to completely extinguish the remaining embers. No casualties have been reported so far.

A fire occurs at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam, Seoul on the morning of the 25th. /Courtesy of Internet Capture

Thick smoke billowed from the COEX building as the fire broke out. Workers and visitors inside COEX evacuated outside when the fire started. As a result of the fire, the lower lanes of the COEX to Samseong Station section along Yeongdongdaero are blocked.

The police and fire departments plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire once it is completely extinguished.

A fire occurs at a restaurant located within COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, on the 25th, prompting firefighters to respond. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency
Smoke arises from a fire at a restaurant located within COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, on the 25th, causing visitors to evacuate. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency