Hundreds flee Gangneung wildfire

Main fire extinguished after eight hours of burning down forests, houses, cultural heritage properties

A mountain in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is on fire, Tuesday. (Yonhap)

One man was found dead in a wildfire that spread fast due to strong winds blowing across Gangneung, Gangwon Province, leading hundreds of residents, students and tourists to evacuate due to safety concerns, on Tuesday.

According to the Gangwon Fire Headquarters, the forest fire broke out in the Nangok-dong area of the city, 260 kilometers west of Seoul, at around 8:30 a.m. and the flames then began to spread to houses nearby and other areas through the strong winds. About 379 hectares of forest, the size of 530 soccer fields, were damaged, and about 72 buildings, including three hotels and 40 houses, were destroyed. One person presumed to be in his 70s was found dead in a burnt-out house. Another resident and two firefighters suffered burn injuries in the fire. After eight hours of struggling to put out the flames, authorities managed to extinguish the main fire at around 4:30 p.m.

According to the National Fire Agency, the highest response level was issued at 9:43 a.m., which means resources from more than five districts could be mobilized to extinguish the fire. It is the first time this year that the third fire response level has been issued due to a forest fire.

The authorities had deployed about 2,700 personnel and about 400 pieces of forest fire fighting equipment to the scene as of 3 p.m. Fire authorities deployed over 200 fire trucks to combat the blaze, despite facing challenges due to strong winds.

The city government issued a disaster warning message to residents of the fire-stricken district urging them to evacuate to schools, community service centers or the Gangneung Ice Arena. As of press time, 557 people have sought shelter in these designated locations.

Additionally, approximately 700 tourists who were staying in nearby accommodations have evacuated to safer premises.

A total of 23 elementary and secondary schools along the country's east coast suspended classes and sent students home for safety reasons.

A firefighter combats a fire at a house in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Tuesday. (Yonhap)

The fire also damaged some historical cultural heritage properties including Banghaejeong, a small pavilion from the Joseon era. The Cultural Heritage Administration said it had moved seven signboards from Gyeongpodae Pavilion, which is a state-designated cultural treasure from the Joseon era, to a nearby museum. Authorities have also sprayed water on other nearby cultural heritage properties and historical buildings to prevent damage.

Gangwon Province provided 815 emergency kits and bedding for 500 people, which include tents, blankets and floor mats for the forest fire evacuees. Five counselors will be dispatched to the arena and to facilities where refugees are staying to provide psychological counseling.

The wildfire is suspected to have originated from a pine tree that was damaged by wind and came into contact with an electric wire, eventually spreading to the nearby forest. Local residents also have reportedly said that a power outage occurred around the same time, which supports this theory. The police have collected broken wires as evidence and prohibited people from entering the site.

Meanwhile, President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered related agencies such as the Korea Forest Service, the National Fire Agency, local governments and the Defense Ministry to do their utmost to extinguish the forest fire by mobilizing all equipment and workers through close cooperation. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also called for the safety of residents and firefighters.

By Lee Jung-youn(jy@heraldcorp.com)