A fire broke out in the Daegwallyeong 4 Tunnel on Friday after a collision involving four vehicles [4].

The incident forced the full closure of a critical transit artery in Gangwon Province, disrupting traffic flow toward Gangneung. Because tunnel fires present extreme risks due to smoke entrapment and limited access, authorities escalated the emergency response to contain the blaze.

The fire started around 11:50 AM [1]. Firefighters initially issued a level-1 response at 12:22 PM [2]. However, the situation intensified, leading officials to raise the alert to a level-2 response at 12:32 PM [3].

Emergency crews worked to control the flames while restricting all entry and exit from the tunnel. The collision involving four vehicles [4] triggered the fire, which prompted the high-level alert.

"A large fire broke out inside the Daegwallyeong 4 Tunnel in Gangwon Province, and the fire department has issued a level-2 response and is responding while controlling access," Lee Hyun-jung said.

Traffic was diverted as the fire department managed the scene. Lee said that drivers should seek detours following the collision and subsequent fire that began at 11:50 AM [1].

Authorities have not yet released a full casualty report, but the rapid escalation to a level-2 response indicates the severity of the fire's scale within the confined space. The Yeongdong Expressway remains a primary route for travelers in the region, making any closure a significant logistical challenge for the province.

“A fire broke out in the Daegwallyeong 4 Tunnel on Friday after a collision involving four vehicles.”

The escalation to a level-2 emergency response signifies a high-risk scenario where local resources are insufficient and coordinated regional support is required. Tunnel fires are particularly dangerous due to the 'chimney effect,' where smoke and heat rise rapidly, complicating evacuation and firefighting efforts. The closure of the Daegwallyeong 4 Tunnel on a major expressway creates a bottleneck for regional logistics and tourism in Gangwon Province.