A blaze lit up Seoul's upscale Gangnam district early Friday morning as flames engulfed multiple structures in Guryong Village, one of the city's last remaining informal settlements. Firefighters rushed to the scene at 3:26 AM local time, battling intense flames that threatened tightly-packed homes.
📢 Key updates: – 47 residents evacuated safely via emergency protocols – No casualties reported as of 7:00 AM KST – Cause remains under investigation – Social services providing temporary housing
While the iconic neon lights of Gangnam's luxury boutiques still glow nearby, this incident highlights ongoing urban challenges in the ROK capital. Many evacuated residents told reporters they 'grabbed only what we could carry' from the fast-moving fire.
🔍 Why it matters: Guryong Village has been part of Seoul's housing inequality discussions for years. This fire comes as the ROK government prepares to unveil new urban renewal plans this February.
