1 dead, hundreds flee wildfire in South Korean seaside city

By KIM TONG-HYUNG
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A wildfire fueled by strong winds has burned parts of a seaside city on South Korea’s eastern coast, killing at least one person and forcing hundreds to flee. It took eight hours and nearly 3,000 firefighters to put out the blaze that started Tuesday morning on a mountain in the central part of the eastern coastal city. Around 70 homes and other buildings were destroyed and more than 550 residents evacuated. Officials say the fire in Gangneung was slowed by afternoon rain. They say it was likely sparked by a tree that fell over a powerline after being snapped by strong winds.