Fire in Bundang, South Korea Leads to Evacuation of Over 300; Minor Injuries Reported

Seoul, Jan 3 (NationPress) A fire erupted at a commercial building in Bundang, located south of Seoul, on Friday, leading to the evacuation of more than 300 individuals, as reported by authorities. Fortunately, no serious injuries were documented.

The incident began at 4:37 PM in an eight-story structure in Yatap-dong within the Bundang district of Seongnam. The fire was completely put out within approximately one hour.

The disturbance is thought to have originated from the kitchen of a restaurant on the building's first floor and spread via the exhaust duct.

Fire officials indicated that more than 240 individuals were rescued, while around 70 managed to evacuate independently.

Approximately 130 people experienced minor injuries due to smoke inhalation, although no severe injuries were reported, according to Yonhap news agency.

Last month, another fire incident occurred at a hall in the National Assembly located in western Seoul, necessitating the evacuation of nearly 500 individuals.

This previous fire took place at the reception hall of the National Assembly complex in Yeouido, which included a pressroom and a wedding venue. Almost 480 individuals, including journalists and wedding attendees, were evacuated.

In a tragic event last year, 23 lives were lost in one of the most severe industrial accidents in the nation, when a fire broke out at a lithium battery manufacturing facility in Hwaseong, south of Seoul.

All deceased victims were discovered on the second level of the plant, where the fire initially ignited, while they were inspecting and packaging completed battery products.

Seventeen of the deceased were of Chinese nationality, while five were Korean, and one was Laotian.

Authorities also initiated investigations against the head of the battery company and four others, charging them with professional negligence leading to death and injury.

Travel bans were imposed on these individuals as police continued to investigate accountability for the catastrophe.

While lithium is generally considered stable and does not require stringent legal regulations for handling in South Korea, it poses risks if it contacts rusted iron in the presence of flammable gases, highlighting the need for appropriate storage in a separate, dry environment.