At about 9:46 a.m. on the 21st, a fire broke out at the Seoul Center Building near Seoul Plaza in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. The fire was completely extinguished in an hour and 30 minutes.
According to fire authorities, the blaze started on the third floor of the building, which was undergoing remodeling work. Fire authorities moved to put out the flames, bringing the main fire under control at about 10:30 a.m., and completely extinguishing it at about 11:19 a.m.
There were no casualties. The 111 workers who were on the job evacuated on their own, and three of them received first aid. Fourteen people could not get outside because of smoke and went up to the roof. Authorities rescued them safely.
As the fire broke out, black smoke billowed from the building, causing confusion in the area. Due to firefighting operations, sections from Sogong-ro Seoul Plaza Hotel to in front of the Bank of Korea and from the Westin Josun Hotel to the Seoul Plaza Hotel, and all lanes from City Hall Station to the Westin Josun Hotel on Sejong-daero 18-gil were temporarily closed.
Police and fire authorities are investigating the exact cause of ignition.