Fire at Yongsan National Hangeul Museum... Flames Contained After 4 Hours (Comprehensive Report 2)

Fortunately, No Cultural Heritage Was Lost
Fire Believed to Have Started at Extension Construction Site

A fire broke out at the National Hangeul Museum in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, at around 8:40 a.m. on the 1st.

Fire broke out at the National Hangeul Museum in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and fire trucks and firefighters have been dispatched. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the fire authorities, the large flames were brought under control at around 12:31 p.m., about four hours after the fire started. The firefighting operation involved 76 pieces of equipment and 262 personnel. The museum transferred its collections to the National Museum of Korea to ensure their safety.

Although the 3rd and 4th floors of the museum were completely destroyed by the fire, there was no damage to cultural heritage. The museum was closed due to an extension construction, so there were no visitors. Two workers inside the museum were rescued, and four others evacuated.

The museum is a building with one basement floor and four above-ground floors. The fire started on the 3rd floor, which is used as an exhibition hall, and spread to the 4th floor. One firefighter who entered the museum fell about 2 meters when the work platform he was standing on gave way and was injured by falling rebar; he was transported to a hospital.

The fire authorities suspect that the fire may have started when sparks flew during welding work to cut rebar at the extension construction site, and they are investigating the exact cause.

The National Hangeul Museum houses about 89,000 items related to Hangeul literature and materials. Nine items, including 'Worinseokbo Volumes 9 and 10,' 'King Jeongjo's Hangeul Letter Collection,' and 'Cheonggu Yeongeon,' are designated as national treasures, and four items, such as 'Samgang Haengsildo (Eonhae),' are recognized as provincial tangible cultural heritage.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.