Fire extinguished at historic Jogye Temple complex in central Seoul

A fire occurred at Jogye Temple's general affairs office and the Central Buddhist Museum in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Tuesday.

Black smoke rises from the Central Buddhist Museum in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

A fire that erupted at the Jogye Temple complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Tuesday morning has been extinguished.

The blaze ignited in a conference hall in the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall at around 10:22 a.m.

The fire did not spread to the Central Buddhist Museum or Jogye Temple itself, which houses a multitude of cultural assets. Some 100 citizens, monks and staff members were evacuated, according to a Yonhap report.

No casualties have been reported.

The cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed. However, a witness said the blaze began from an air conditioner installed in the ceiling.

The Central Buddhist Museum, which is connected to the memorial hall, was exhibiting some 20 national treasures, including an 18th-century Buddhist painting from Heungguk Temple in Yeosu, South Jeolla.

Firefighters said the artifacts have been moved to the National Palace Museum of Korea in central Seoul.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]