Seoul declares national disaster as winds fan giant forest fire

Fanned by strong winds the fire quickly spread through the mountainous area close to the border with North Korea, incinerating 400 homes and 500 hectares of land. [AFP]

A giant forest fire swept across swathes of South Korea Friday, as authorities declared a rare national disaster, deploying 900 fire engines and tens of thousands of personnel to bring it under control.

Apocalyptic images on television and social media showed walls of flame lighting up the night, buildings engulfed in flames, and clouds of smoke billowing across hillsides during the day.