February 26, 2026, 1:03 p.mFebruary 26, 2026, 1:03 p.m
A large fire has broken out in the immediate vicinity of the popular tourist district of Myeong-dong in Seoul. Dark clouds of smoke rose from a restaurant, and acrid smoke could be clearly heard from several hundred meters away.
The cause of the fire is still unclear.screenshot / x
Around 90 emergency services cordoned off the area and evacuated the affected building. The district administration warned residents of possible smoke inhalation in a text message. According to media reports, the extinguishing work is making slow progress because the building in question is old and in danger of collapsing. The fire brought rush-hour traffic to a standstill in some places.
서울 중구, 북창동 먹자건물 상가 화재
사고일: 2026년 2월 26일, 오후 6시 20분 경
사고장소: 서울 중구 북창동 상가 건물소방 당국은 소방차 21대와 소방관 84명 등을 투입해 화재를 진압 중
pic.twitter.com/JVpxKUHcQJ— 콩슬라 (@ExivSp5314) February 26, 2026
So far there is no reliable information about possible injuries or deaths. The affected neighborhood of Bukchang-dong is just a few meters from Seoul’s central city hall and borders the popular tourist district of Myeong-dong. The cause of the fire is still unclear. (sda/dpa)