A large fire has broken out near the athletes’ village ahead of the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Raises security concerns...

A large fire has broken out near the athletes’ village ahead of the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Thick black smoke could be seen from the accommodation where athletes are staying for the Games, as well as the media village.

People in the area were sent an emergency text alert as the blaze raged at a construction site. American journalist Chris Kamrani tweeted: ‘An emergency alert just blasted phones here in South Korea. ‘Looks like it’s due to the massive fire we have a front-row seat for in our 16th-floor apartment.’


Local authorities said they had spoken with athletes who were ‘not affected nor concerned’. The Pyeongchang Games begin on Friday and run until February 25.