A motel is seen damaged after a fire broke out in Yeonsu District, Incheon, on April 4, forcing 51 people to evacuate. [INCHEON FIRE DEPARTMENT]
A fire broke out at a motel in Incheon on Saturday morning, injuring dozens of guests and forcing an emergency evacuation.
According to the Incheon Fire Department, the blaze was reported at 9:41 a.m. at a seven-story building in Okryeon-dong, Yeonsu District.
About 100 firefighters and 43 fire trucks and other equipment were dispatched to contain the fire and carry out rescue operations. When first responders arrived, flames and thick smoke were already billowing from the exterior of the building. The fire was brought under control at around 10:25 a.m., roughly 40 minutes after it began.
Of the 51 guests staying at the facility, 26 were taken to nearby hospitals for injuries and smoke inhalation. Most of the others were treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation and released.
Some of those transported were classified as emergency patients and remain under treatment, officials said.
Fire authorities and police believe the blaze may have started while an electronic cigarette was being charged in a room on the fifth floor.
A police official said authorities are checking for additional injuries that may have occurred during the evacuation and will conduct a joint investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and the extent of property damage.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
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