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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Fire ravages South Korea landmark | Fire ravages South Korea landmark |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A 14th Century gate in the South Korean capital, Seoul, has been partly destroyed by fire in a what police believe may have been an arson attack. | |
| Namdaemun, or the Great South Gate, was considered to be the country's greatest national treasure. | Namdaemun, or the Great South Gate, was considered to be the country's greatest national treasure. |
| More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze, which broke out late on Sunday, but the wooden superstructure collapsed, leaving only the stone base. | More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze, which broke out late on Sunday, but the wooden superstructure collapsed, leaving only the stone base. |
| Two years ago it was re-opened to the public for the first time since 1907. | Two years ago it was re-opened to the public for the first time since 1907. |
| President-elect Lee Myung-bak visited the site on Monday, and said simply: "People's hearts will ache." | President-elect Lee Myung-bak visited the site on Monday, and said simply: "People's hearts will ache." |
| 'Heartbreaking' | 'Heartbreaking' |
| Officially called Sungnyemun or Gate of Exalted Ceremonies, the gate had served as the main entrance to the city when Seoul became Korea's capital more than 600 years ago. | Officially called Sungnyemun or Gate of Exalted Ceremonies, the gate had served as the main entrance to the city when Seoul became Korea's capital more than 600 years ago. |
| "It is heartbreaking," said Kim Duk-Il, 40, a visitor from the southern city of Daegu, as the national icon was reduced to ashes. | "It is heartbreaking," said Kim Duk-Il, 40, a visitor from the southern city of Daegu, as the national icon was reduced to ashes. |
| By morning, only the stone base was left | By morning, only the stone base was left |
| "It remained okay even during the Korean War," Mr Kim told the AFP news agency, wiping away tears. "Our pride has fallen down." | "It remained okay even during the Korean War," Mr Kim told the AFP news agency, wiping away tears. "Our pride has fallen down." |
| First constructed in 1398, rebuilt in 1447 and renovated several times since, Namdaemun was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul. | First constructed in 1398, rebuilt in 1447 and renovated several times since, Namdaemun was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul. |
| The two-storey wooden structure had been given the status of "National Treasure number one" in 1962. | The two-storey wooden structure had been given the status of "National Treasure number one" in 1962. |
| Initial estimates say the gate will take three years to restore, at a cost of $21m. | Initial estimates say the gate will take three years to restore, at a cost of $21m. |
| The blaze comes less than three years after fire destroyed one of the country's oldest Buddhist temples, Naksan temple, along with its prized bronze bell. | The blaze comes less than three years after fire destroyed one of the country's oldest Buddhist temples, Naksan temple, along with its prized bronze bell. |