A church in Guri City, near Seoul, South Korea, experienced a fire on July 3 that caused damage to parts of its main sanctuary building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as all 225 congregants and students present safely evacuated before the flames spread.
The fire broke out in the ceiling of the church’s fourth floor just before an evening service. Firefighters dispatched 41 fire trucks and 70 personnel, bringing the blaze under control within about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and fully extinguishing it after just over three hours.
While the fire severely damaged the fourth-floor roof, worship area, and nursery rooms, the first through third floors, along with surrounding trees and gardens, remained largely unharmed.
Church leaders quickly organized a response team to assess the damage and begin recovery efforts. The team is focusing on insurance claims, safety inspections, repairs of audio-visual equipment, and structural restoration.
“The most important thing is that no one was hurt,” said a church spokesperson. “We are thankful for everyone’s safety and are coming together as a community to support each other through this challenging time.”
The church plans to resume early morning worship services next week in an auxiliary building, while midweek services will be held online temporarily.
Local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with preliminary findings pointing to electrical issues. There is no evidence of foul play.
This incident highlights the importance of fire safety and preparedness in places of worship worldwide.
*This article is translated and revised version of Christian Today.
