A fire broke out at a restaurant in the COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, on the 25th and was extinguished after about 2 hours. When the fire broke out, thick smoke enveloped the Samseong-dong sky, causing a large-scale evacuation of workers and customers inside COEX. There were no reported injuries.
According to the fire department, a report was received at about 11:07 a.m. stating that "a fire broke out in the kitchen of a restaurant on the second floor of COEX." Firefighters arrived at the scene around 11:10 a.m., and 147 personnel and 33 vehicles were deployed for the firefighting operation. The major flames were extinguished at 11:42 a.m., and the fire was completely extinguished at 1:14 p.m., 2 hours and 7 minutes after the outbreak.
According to the fire department, the fire is suspected to have originated from the hood area of the kitchen on the second floor of the COEX above-ground building. There were no reported injuries. Approximately 1,200 people, including office workers and customers at COEX, evacuated the building on their own. Four individuals who inhaled smoke during the evacuation received on-site treatment.
Thick smoke billowing from the COEX building covered the Samseong-dong area. The "2025 World IT Show (WIS)" information and communication technology (ICT) exhibition was taking place at COEX that day. The event was suspended due to the fire and resumed after the flames were extinguished.
Police and fire officials are investigating the exact cause of the fire.