Synopsis
A fire erupted at the National Hangeul Museum in central Seoul, South Korea, on February 1, prompting a swift response from local fire authorities. The fire, which began on the third floor, injured one firefighter and necessitated the evacuation of construction workers. An investigation is underway to determine the cause.Key Takeaways
- Fire at National Hangeul Museum in Seoul
- Injury reported among firefighters
- Emergency response involved 140 personnel
- Construction materials hindered firefighting
- Investigation into the cause ongoing
Seoul, Feb 1 (NationPress) A fire erupted at the National Hangeul Museum located in central Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, triggering an urgent response from local fire services, as reported by officials.
The Yongsan District Office and fire officials stated that the fire initiated on the third floor and swiftly spread to the fourth floor, where construction materials on-site hindered firefighting operations.
Authorities declared a Level 1 emergency alert within 50 minutes of the fire's start, deploying 140 personnel to combat the flames, according to the Yonhap news agency.
The museum is currently closed to the public for expansion work. One firefighter sustained injuries after being struck by falling steel debris and was promptly taken to a hospital.
Two construction workers were rescued from the premises, while four others successfully evacuated.
Since the commencement of expansion, the museum has been storing its artefacts separately to avert damage. As a precaution, authorities intend to transfer the remaining artefacts to the nearby National Museum of Korea for safekeeping.
Officials suspect that the fire could have been ignited by sparks from steel-cutting activities at the construction site. A comprehensive investigation is underway to ascertain the precise cause.
Founded in 2014, the museum is focused on promoting the linguistic and cultural significance of the Korean writing system known as Hangeul.
Culture Minister Yu In-chon visited the fire-affected museum and encouraged authorities to collaborate closely with the fire department for a prompt and effective response.
The ministry reported that Yu received updates on the firefighting efforts and the extent of the destruction. He instructed museum personnel and emergency responders to prioritize fire suppression and damage control in coordination with fire officials.
