Huge Fire at US Military Base in South Korea

A fire broke out at a U.S. military base in South Korea, with dramatic footage showing flames ripping through a large building as firefighters battled the blaze.

The cause of the fire at Busan Naval Base is unknown, but it is understood to have begun at 6.30 p.m. local time on Thursday, according to media reports.

The U.S. military is stationed in South Korea to deter aggression against the republic and help ensure stability in Asia. It regularly conducts joint exercises with Seoul’s forces.

Footage on social media shows thick plumes of black smoke towering over the base.

Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and the United States Forces Korea for comment.

The city of Busan sent a text message to the Dong-gu, Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Yeongdo-gu and Nam-gu districts: “A fire broke out at the 55th Supply Depot in Dong-gu and a large amount of smoke and dust is generated, so nearby residents should be aware of window control and safety accidents.”

According to the Yonhap news agency, the fire broke out at the 55th Supply Depot in Beomil-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, at 6:31 p.m. The 55th Supply Depot is a U.S. military facility used for storing equipment brought in by U.S. forces through the port of Busan.

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in Busan, South Korea, on March 11, 2009. A fire has broken out at a U.S. military base in Busan.
The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in Busan, South Korea, on March 11, 2009. A fire has broken out at a U.S. military base in Busan.
KIM JAE-HWAN/AFP via Getty Images

The fire is currently engulfing a large warehouse, measuring about 120 meters (394 feet) by 40 meters (131 feet).

Construction materials were reportedly found inside the warehouse.

Huge flames are rising above the warehouse, but there were no reported casualties, according to Yonhap.

The Busan Fire Department is working to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent warehouses. The department said that 51 units of equipment and 163 personnel are reportedly involved.

An official from the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters said in a statement: “Due to the nature of the supply depot, a large amount of military supplies are stored, so if a fire spreads to a nearby warehouse, it can lead to a dizzying situation,” adding, “We are working with the U.S. military’s fire brigade to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent warehouses.”

The Busan Naval Base is a significant location for the United States Navy in South Korea. It serves as a key point of collaboration between the U.S. military and the Republic of Korea Navy. While the ROK Navy operates the base itself, it provides critical support for U.S. naval operations in the region.

The base can accommodate up to 30 vessels, including the ROK Navy’s Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships and the U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.

A spokesperson for the Busan Fire Department told the local news outlet Donga: “It seems unlikely that the fire will spread to nearby areas, but we are urging residents to be careful and [are] controlling the scene.”

The empty warehouse was under renovation and unoccupied when the blaze erupted, according to Stars and Stripes, a military news website.

In 1950, at the onset of the Korean War, the U.S. Army set up the site as a supply depot.

Located approximately 200 miles southeast of Seoul, Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city and home to the country’s largest port.

Update 10/24/24, 10:43 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

Update 10/24/24, 12:30 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.