A fire broke out in the Memorial Hall of Buddhist Culture and History of Korean Buddhism at Jogyesa Temple in Gyeonji-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, on the morning of the 10th. As the fire broke out, monks and temple staff inside the building evacuated urgently. No injuries were reported, and the fire department completely extinguished the blaze after approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
According to the fire department, a report was received at around 10:22 a.m. stating that a fire had occurred near the Daewoong main hall. After receiving the report, the fire department identified that the fire had started in the international conference room on the 2nd floor of the 4-story Memorial Hall of Buddhist Culture and History of Korean Buddhism, which is close to the main hall. The fire department is investigating the cause of the fire based on eyewitness statements that it started with flames from the ceiling air conditioner.
As the fire broke out, black smoke covered the area. About 300 people, including monks, temple staff, and civilians, evacuated on their own, with 100 people in the international conference room and 200 in the memorial hall. The Jogye Order transferred 8 national heritage items that were on display to the National Palace Museum.
The fire department arrived at the scene at 10:27 a.m. and issued the first stage of response at 10:39 a.m. Currently, 306 personnel and 55 vehicles have been deployed to extinguish the fire. The fire department managed to control the large flames around 11:36 a.m., and the fire was completely extinguished approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes after it started, around 11:57 a.m.
The Jongno District in Seoul stated in a disaster text message that vehicles should detour around the roads surrounding the building, and civilians inside the building should evacuate outside. From 10:36 a.m. on that day, all lanes in both directions on Ujeongguk-ro from Anguk-dong Intersection to in front of Jogyesa Temple were closed.