04 Jan 2025 | 10:12 PM UTC
South Korea: Authorities responding to Structure fire at Jongno district in Seoul early Jan. 5
Crews responding to Structure fire at Cheonggye Shopping Mall in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea, early Jan. 5 Avoid area.
Emergency crews are responding to a fire at the Cheonggye Shopping Mall in the Jongno District of Seoul. Officials have evacuated at least 60 guests from a nearby hotel. The blaze started at around 03:15 and reportedly spread to other structures in the area. The cause of the blaze is unclear; there are no immediate reports of casualties.
Authorities will likely maintain an increased security presence near the incident scene over the coming hours. Associated localized transport disruptions are likely. Officials may evacuate additional nearby buildings or suspend localized ground travel as a precaution. Lingering disruptions are possible until investigations conclude.
Avoid the impacted area until authorities give the all-clear. Seek alternative routes to circumvent the incident site. Consider remaining indoors to avoid smoke exposure, especially if you suffer from a respiratory illness such as asthma, or conditions that lead to increased risk from smoke exposure. Eye irritation is possible; flush irritated eyes with copious amounts of clean water. Heed all official advisories, including evacuation orders.
