In brief
Over 300 individuals escaped a devastating fire in an eight-story building, with numerous rescues occurring.
On Friday afternoon, hundreds were compelled to evacuate an eight-story commercial building in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, after a sudden fire erupted. Fire crews received initial reports around 4:40 PM, resulting in their prompt arrival within the hour. At the time of the blaze, around 300 occupants were present in the structure.Emergency responders managed to rescue 240 individuals, while an additional 70 evacuated independently. Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported; however, approximately 30 people were hospitalized due to minor injuries, primarily related to smoke inhalation.Dramatic footage aired on local news channels revealed the lower floors engulfed in flames and dense black smoke billowing from shattered windows. Some individuals were seen gathering on the roof, awaiting rescue amid the chaos.Fire officials reported that the blaze originated on the first floor but have not disclosed any specific details regarding its cause. Notably, the building features five underground levels, contributing to the urgency of the evacuation and rescue operations as the fire quickly spread.
