A fire erupted at the Busan Naval Base in South Korea, with dramatic footage capturing flames engulfing a large warehouse as firefighters responded to the scene. The blaze began at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, though the cause remains unclear.
đ¨ URGENT: A massive fire has broken out at U.S. Army supply warehouses in South Korea. pic.twitter.com/cxvO0lQwM7
— SilencedSirsâŧī¸ (@SilentlySirs) October 24, 2024
The U.S. military, stationed in South Korea to deter aggression and maintain stability in Asia, frequently conducts joint exercises with South Korean forces. Social media footage shows thick black smoke billowing over the base.
In response to the incident, the city of Busan sent notifications to several districts, advising residents to control windows and remain cautious due to the significant smoke and potential safety hazards.
According to Yonhap news agency, the fire started at the 55th Supply Depot located in Beomil-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, at 6:31 p.m. This facility is used by U.S. forces to store equipment received through the port of Busan. The warehouse measures approximately 120 meters (394 feet) by 40 meters (131 feet) and reportedly contained construction materials.
While flames were observed rising above the structure, no casualties have been reported. The Busan Fire Department is actively working to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby warehouses, deploying 51 units of equipment and 163 personnel to the scene.
The Busan Naval Base is a vital hub for U.S. Navy operations in South Korea, supporting collaborative efforts with the Republic of Korea Navy. It has the capacity to accommodate up to 30 vessels, including ROK Navy’s Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships and U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.
A spokesperson for the Busan Fire Department stated, “It seems unlikely that the fire will spread to nearby areas, but we are urging residents to be careful and are managing the scene.”