Fire Erupts at U.S. Army Warehouse in Busan, South Korea

24 October, 2024 Fire at a US Army warehouse in the Republic of Korea. October 24, 2024. Photo: newsweek.com

A fire broke out at a warehouse of the American military contingent in Busan, South Korea. According to the Newsweek report, the cause of the fire at the naval base is still unknown. This warehouse usually stores equipment that is transported through the port of Busan.

More than 160 firefighters and 51 pieces of equipment were involved in the firefighting. No injuries were reported. According to officials, the blaze occurred at 18:31, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

The U.S. Army garrison also invoked a mutual aid agreement with the Busan Fire Department in response to the incident.

The warehouse was undergoing renovation and was empty, and no one was there at the time of the fire. As of 19:55, the Busan fire authorities raised the response level by one level to Level 2, which involves mobilizing personnel and equipment from eight to 11 nearby fire stations. As a reminder, the U.S.

Forces Korea (USFK) is responsible for supporting and training the joint South Korean-American forces and the UN Command's multinational forces. Since July 1, 1957, the USFK has been participating in joint operations annually to train and maintain personnel readiness.

Soldiers of the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Photo: U.S.

Forces Korea

Approximately 28,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines stationed in South Korea serve as the backbone of the U.S. presence in the region and are a key manifestation of U.S. military commitment to maintain the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region.

As a reminder, in mid-October, units of the Republic of Korea's ground forces arrived in Qatar to conduct joint military exercises.