Fire breaks out in Seoul's last remaining shantytown

서울 강남구 개포동 구룡마을 화재 진압 현장 [사진=서울소방재난본부]

SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - A fire broke out in a shantytown in southern Seoul early Friday morning, forcing residents to evacuate.

The fire occurred at around 5 a.m. in Guryong Village, the last remaining slum of makeshift homes and shoddy tents in Seoul's affluent district of Gangnam.

Over 200 firefighters were dispatched shortly after receiving a report that the fire had started in an empty home. Hours later, smoke and flames are still engulfing the area despite efforts to extinguish them, raising concerns that they could spread to nearby wooded hills.

No injuries have been reported so far. Dozens of residents reportedly evacuated on their own.

The village has just about 30 households, as it is slated for redevelopment, with plans to transform the area into a high-rise apartment complex that will accommodate 3,500 households, although some residents are refusing to leave.
Lee Keon-hee 기자 topkeontop12@ajunews.com

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