11 Injured and Dead in Gunpo Apartment Fire, Joint Investigation by Police and Firefighters

Identification of Origin, Cause, and Other Factors

At an apartment fire site in Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, on the morning of the 2nd, police, the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, the National Forensic Service, and other officials are conducting a joint inspection to determine the cause of the fire. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A joint investigation by the police, fire department, and related agencies was conducted on the 2nd at the apartment fire site in Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi Province, which resulted in 11 casualties.

The Gunpo Police Station in Gyeonggi Province began a joint investigation at 10:30 a.m. on the same day at the Baekdu Hanyang 9 Complex apartment fire site in Sanbon-dong, Gunpo-si, together with the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, the National Forensic Service, and other related agencies.

The joint investigation team plans to identify the exact ignition point and cause of the fire through the investigation. In particular, based on witness statements that an electric heater was left on during work at the fire site and that flammable materials such as polyurethane and thinner were present around the heater, the team is expected to focus on pinpointing the initial ignition point. The police will also decide whether additional investigations are necessary based on the results of this investigation.

The fire broke out at 4:37 p.m. the previous day on the 12th floor of the apartment, resulting in four deaths and one person in critical condition. The deceased were confirmed to be two workers in their 30s and two neighboring apartment residents. Additionally, six apartment residents inhaled smoke and were transported to the hospital for treatment.