According to Yonhap News and the Gimpo Fire Department, the blaze broke out at around 2:45 p.m. on June 23 at a 331-square-meter shoe storage facility in Unyang-dong, consisting of three steel-structured buildings.
The fire completely destroyed 12 buildings belonging to four companies and partially damaged five buildings from another four companies. About 70 people, including warehouse staff, evacuated on their own.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
Gimpo Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division Chief Kwak Seong-wook held a briefing near the fire site, stating, "A large quantity of shoes was stored inside the warehouse," and noted that the affected buildings included both warehouses and factories.
After receiving reports from warehouse personnel about the fire, the fire department issued a 'Level 1 Response' alarm just 21 minutes after the fire started due to concerns about its spread. Twenty minutes later, the response was escalated to 'Level 2' to mobilize personnel and equipment from five to six neighboring fire stations.
The fire was completely extinguished at 11:49 p.m., nine hours and four minutes after it began.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage, based on reports that a warehouse employee discovered flames at a location where waste was stored.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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