▲ Police and fire officials conduct a joint on-site inspection to investigate the cause of the fire at Guryong Village in Seoul on the 30th.
Police and fire authorities have launched a detailed joint inspection to determine the cause of the fires that broke out in Guryong Village, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, over a two-day period starting from the 27th.
Related agencies, including the police, fire department, and Korea Safety Corporation (Korea Electrical Safety Corporation), have been investigating the exact ignition points and causes at the Guryong Village site since 10:30 a.m. today (30th).
During the inspection on the 28th, the joint inspection team conducted preparatory work for about four and a half hours, which included setting up inspection zones.
It was reported that the estimated area of the initial ignition point was narrowed down to around 7 households during that inspection.
The joint inspection team is investigating fire traces within the estimated range by removing burned furniture and belongings and digging through ashes.
The burnt smell that had permeated from the entrance of the village was no longer as strong, but a pungent odor still lingered around the ash-covered home sites.
Residents who lost their homes could not leave the ruined village and lingered around the area.
Han Young-ae, 79, who has lived in Guryong Village for 39 years, also came out in front of her burned-down home site since morning after hearing about the joint inspection.
Looking at the charred furniture and household goods, Han expressed her frustration, saying, "I came out because our home is so unfair. I am just so angry."
When a resident entered inside the police line to inspect the burned home site, safety personnel stopped them, saying, "Elder, you cannot go in there. I'm telling you, you can't."
Relief organizations were also spotted at the scene to provide necessary supplies to residents.
Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Hyun-ki) plans to request the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to designate the fire-affected area in Guryong Village as a special disaster zone.
It also plans to urgently restore electricity and water supplies in areas excluding the completely burned districts to reduce resident inconvenience.
Disaster relief support funds will be provided to displaced victims whose living quarters were destroyed.
Gangnam-gu tallied that 91 households and 127 people became eligible for relief due to this fire.
As of the afternoon of yesterday (29th), 70 households and 111 people are staying at Gaepo Middle School, Guryong Middle School, and temporary accommodations.
Earlier, around 3:50 p.m. on the 27th, a fire broke out in a temporary building in District 2 of Guryong Village.
The fire spread to Districts 1, 3, and 7 driven by strong winds.
Guryong Village is an unauthorized shantytown formed by displaced people who were pushed out during the development of Gangnam due to events like the 1988 Seoul Olympics in the 1970s and 1980s.
After being designated as an urban development zone in 2016, SH (Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation) took charge as the project executor to promote redevelopment.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, as of the 15th of this month, 950 households, or 85.8%, out of the 1,107 existing households in Guryong Village had completed relocation.
The remaining 157 households, or 14.2%, had not yet relocated.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.