Major fire in Seoul’s Gangnam neighbourhood destroys 60 homes

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire at Guryong village, the last slum in the glitzy Gangnam district, as apartment complexes which are currently under construction are seen in the background, in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday. (Photo: Reuters)

SEOUL: A blaze destroyed at least 60 homes in one of Seoul’s last remaining shantytowns on Friday, forcing the evacuation of about 500 people just before Lunar New Year, South Korea’s biggest holiday.

The fire broke out at 6.27am in Guryong Village, located near one of Seoul’s most affluent suburbs, Gangnam district. No deaths or injuries were reported, Shin Yong-ho, administrative director at the Gangnam Fire Station, told the media.