Police cordon off a reception hall of the National Assembly in western Seoul after a fire, Dec. 21, in this photo provided by a reader. Yonhap

A fire broke out at a hall of the National Assembly in western Seoul on Saturday, forcing nearly 500 people to evacuate, authorities said.

The fire began at 11:52 a.m. at the reception hall of the National Assembly compound in Yeouido, which houses a pressroom and a wedding hall, and around 480 people, including reporters and wedding guests, were evacuated, according to fire authorities.

Of them, six received treatment after inhaling smoke, though no serious injuries were reported, they added.

The blaze was completely under control at around 1 p.m., and an investigation is under way into the exact cause of the incident. (Yonhap)