A fire broke out at Samhwasa Temple in Samhwa-dong, Donghae, Gangwon Province, at around 3:40 p.m. today (August 1).

Fire authorities have deployed personnel and equipment and are currently working to extinguish the fire.

Samhwasa is a branch temple of Woljeongsa, the head temple of the 4th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

The fire is presumed to have started in the templestay building.

Authorities plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage once the flames are fully extinguished.
 
(Photo provided by reader, Yonhap News)