On the 30th, a fire broke out in a wooden building at the 'Seongbukdong Byeolseo' in Seongbuk District, Seoul. The fire department declared a level 1 response and conducted firefighting operations. The fire was completely extinguished after about 4 hours.
According to the fire department, a report was received at 119 around 12:48 p.m. that a fire had broken out in a hanok building within Seongbukdong Byeolseo. Authorities mobilized 154 personnel and 42 pieces of equipment to conduct firefighting operations. A level 1 response was declared at 1:43 p.m.
According to the fire department, the fire in Songseokjeong was contained around 3:56 p.m. and was fully extinguished by 4:58 p.m. There have been no reported injuries. Police and fire authorities plan to investigate the specific cause of the fire.
The wooden building that caught fire was constructed in the 1950s in Songseokjeong. According to the fire department, the fire severely burned the pillars, and to contain the flames inside the roof, they were allowed to destroy the roof using an excavator with the consent of the Korea Heritage Service.
Seongbukdong Byeolseo is a rare Joseon-era garden remaining in Seoul. The form of the traditional garden is relatively well preserved. It was created by Chunpa Hwang Yun-myeong (1844–1916), a courtier and literati during the reign of Gojong. In 1884, Empress Myeongseong sought refuge here during the Gapsin Coup, and Prince Yi Gang (1877–1955) used it as a detached palace.
This place was also known as Seongnakwon in the past. It was designated as scenic site No. 118 in September 2020.
Seongbukdong Byeolseo is private property, so the general public cannot enter. The Songseokjeong, where the fire occurred, had been used by the owner like a pavilion. When the fire broke out at Songseokjeong, the owner moved 12 valuable antique items inside to a safe location.