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| The Dora Observatory in Paju, north of Seoul, is enveloped in smoke after fire broke out in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in North Korea and spread to the South Korean side, Monday. No injuries or damage were reported. / Yonhap |
By Lee Ji-hye
A fire broke out on North Korea's side of the heavily guarded demilitarized zone (DMZ) on Monday afternoon, South Korean authorities said.
The fire spread through the barbed-wire fence separating the two Koreas at 1:15 p.m., reaching the Dora Observatory in Paju City, Gyeonggi Province.
"The fire started in North Korean territory and spread south," an official said.
The northern region of Gyeonggi Province recently issued a drought warning.
Seven fire engines and about 50 firemen fought the blaze.
Officials also sought North Korean approval to use three helicopters.
Custom Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ), the transit office for the people working at the joint Kaesong Industrial Complex, was temporarily closed from 2 p.m.
There were no reports of injuries.
