SEOUL, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-nine people were evacuated and no casualties were reported yet on Tuesday after a huge fire hit a shantytown in the southern district of Gangnam in South Korea's capital Seoul, according to Yonhap news agency.
The blaze began at around 3:50 p.m. local time at Guryong Village, prompting the fire authorities to dispatch about 210 personnel, 51 pieces of equipment and fire-extinguishing helicopters to battle the heavy smoke and raging flames.
Despite the severity of the fire, 39 people successfully evacuated while no casualties or injuries had been reported so far.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung received a briefing on the incident, ordering officials to mobilize all available resources to extinguish the fire and make all-out efforts for the rescue and safety of the residents.
Lee also issued a directive to thoroughly ensure the safety of the firefighters operating on the front lines, according to the presidential Blue House. ■
