Was the Fire at a Building Near Seoul Plaza Contained Without Casualties?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Fire contained quickly within 44 minutes.
- Over 100 people evacuated safely.
- No casualties reported, but three received emergency treatment.
- Investigation underway to determine the fire's cause.
- Highlights the importance of urban fire safety protocols.
Seoul, Oct 21 (NationPress) Firefighters successfully contained a fire that erupted in a building in central Seoul on Tuesday, leading to the evacuation of over 100 individuals, according to official reports.
The flames were put out 44 minutes after they started at the Seoul Centre Building adjacent to Seoul Plaza near the City Hall, with approximately 110 people evacuated from the vicinity, as per Yonhap News Agency.
Although there were no reported casualties, three individuals required emergency medical attention.
A group of about 10 construction workers took refuge on the building's rooftop and were waiting for rescue.
Fire officials suspect the fire originated on the third floor, where renovation work was underway, and they will investigate the precise cause of the incident.
In a separate incident in September, a fire at the national data infrastructure center interrupted numerous online government services, as stated by the interior ministry.
This fire was believed to have been triggered by a battery explosion at the National Information Resources Service located in Daejeon, around 140 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the ministry.
The previous blaze necessitated an evacuation and resulted in one minor injury.
The incident caused the suspension of 70 online government services, including the mobile identification system and the online platform for complaints and petitions.
In light of the previous fire, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed his apologies for the disruptions caused, citing the absence of an emergency protocol for an event he described as foreseeable.
During an emergency meeting, he acknowledged the significant inconvenience and anxiety experienced by the public due to the fire, which disrupted online services and networks at the National Information Resources Service in Daejeon following a lithium-ion battery explosion.
"The public is facing considerable hardship and concern due to the fire. As the nation's leader, I extend my heartfelt apologies," he stated.