Jan. 16 (Asia Today) -- A pre-dawn fire tore through Guryong Village in Seoul's Gangnam district on Friday, forcing residents of what is often called the city's last shantytown to flee with little more than what they could carry.
The blaze broke out around 5 a.m., leaving residents scrambling down the hillside as flames spread through tightly packed homes, according to residents and reporters at the scene.
Kang, 66, said she escaped after a neighbor banged on her door shouting that there was a fire. She said she left behind a gold ring she had saved to give her son for his wedding.
"I left my son's wedding ring behind," she said, breaking down as she described saving for years for the gift. She said the wedding date was set for Dec. 22.
By morning, sections of the settlement showed collapsed roofs, charred walls and shattered windows, with household items scattered along the narrow lanes. Coal briquettes stacked for winter could be seen through broken windows.
