In brief
A fire broke out in an eight-story commercial complex in Seongnam, South Korea, on Friday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of over 300 people. Firefighters rescued 240, and 70 escaped on their own, with nearly 30 treated for minor injuries. The cause remains undetermined.
Hundreds of individuals were forced to evacuate when a fire erupted in an eight-story commercial building located south of Seoul, South Korea, on Friday afternoon. Video footage showed several people trapped on the roof as they awaited rescue from firefighters amid the chaos. According to fire officials, the blaze was reported around 4:40 PM in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Firefighters arrived on the scene within an hour to find the lower floors of the building engulfed in flames, issuing a thick plume of black smoke visible from nearby areas. At the time of the fire, around 300 people were inside the complex. Fire responders confirmed that 240 individuals were rescued directly, while an additional 70 managed to evacuate independently. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, although nearly 30 people were hospitalized due to minor injuries, including smoke inhalation. The fire began on the first floor of the building, which features five underground levels, but authorities have yet to disclose an official cause for the incident. Local news footage depicted the alarming scene, as bystanders gathered and smoke billowed from the windows, leaving many concerned for the safety of those trapped inside.
