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Hundreds rescued or evacuated in South Korea building fire

The multi-storey building affected, which also has basement floors, houses shops, medical and sports facilities, restaurants and car parks

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Smoke rises at the scene of a fire at a building in Seongnam, South Korea, on Friday. Photo: via AP

Hundreds of people were rescued or evacuated after a fire broke out at a large commercial building in the South Korean city of Seongnam on Friday, fire officials said.

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More than 260 firefighters and 80 vehicles were deployed to the scene of the blaze, which was extinguished about an hour and a half after it was first reported at around 4:30pm, according to the Gyeonggi provincial fire department.

The department said emergency workers had rescued 240 people, while another 70 managed to exit the eight-storey building unaided.

About 28 people sustained light injuries, including smoke inhalation, but there were no reports of serious injuries. Officials said emergency workers were still searching the site to ensure no one was trapped inside.

The blaze started in a restaurant in the busy commercial building, which also housed a swimming pool where children take lessons.

Firefighters and a police officer in the South Korean city of Seongnam stand in front of a commercial building damaged by a fire on Friday. Photo: AFP
Firefighters and a police officer in the South Korean city of Seongnam stand in front of a commercial building damaged by a fire on Friday. Photo: AFP

Earlier, YTN television reported multiple people were trapped inside, with footage showing black smoke engulfing a large part of the building and a blaze burning on the lower floors.

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