On the 28th, a fire occurs in an old commercial building near Euljiro 3-ga Station in Seoul, with flames and smoke rising. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

A fire broke out on the afternoon of the 28th in an old commercial building near the Sewoon Daerim Shopping Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. One person was transported to the hospital after inhaling smoke.

According to the firefighting authorities, a report was received at around 3:25 p.m. regarding a fire in an old commercial building in Sanrim-dong, Jung-gu. The building on fire is a one-story structure with a total floor area of 76.03㎡ and was built with wood. The firefighting authorities transported an individual, identified as Woo (70), to the hospital after inhaling smoke.

The firefighting authorities have mobilized 213 personnel and 52 pieces of equipment to extinguish the fire. They issued the first stage of response at 3:58 p.m. out of concern that the fire would spread, and elevated it to the second stage of response at 4:37 p.m.

On the 28th, a fire breaks out in an old commercial building near Sewoon Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of Reporter Lee Ho-jun

This area has narrow access roads and is cluttered with materials, making it difficult for DAEWON to extinguish the fire. The firefighting authorities are using heavy equipment such as excavators to demolish and clear the old building while sequentially extinguishing the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

The area where the fire occurred is scheduled for redevelopment. In the past, many electrical-related businesses were concentrated in the old buildings, but currently, only 74 out of 114 shops in the block set for redevelopment are operating. The building is dilapidated, and the building that caught fire was empty.

On the 28th, a fire occurs near Sewoon Plaza in Euljiro, Seoul, where firefighters are extinguishing the fire. /Courtesy of News1

Due to the fire, traffic lanes from Euljiro 4-ga to 3-ga are fully restricted. The Jung-gu district informed residents through a disaster text message, saying, "A large amount of smoke is being produced," and requested, "Vehicles should detour around the building, and nearby residents should refrain from passing through."

The smoke generated from the burning building entered the nearby Euljiro 4-ga subway station. An announcement was made inside the station indicating, "Fire smoke has entered," prompting passengers to cover their mouths and noses with clothing or urgently obtain masks to wear.