Fire at Apartment in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul... 9 Residents Including Smoke Inhalation Victims Transported to Hospital

Suspected Cause of 'Gas Explosion'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] At around 7:45 a.m. on the 6th, a fire broke out in a 15-story apartment in Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and was extinguished after about two hours. The fire started on the 6th floor of the apartment and spread to the 7th floor.

As a result of the incident, a total of 9 people, including a man identified as A (73), who lived in the unit where the fire occurred, and residents of neighboring units, were rescued and transported to the hospital. Mr. A was transferred to the hospital with second-degree burns and decreased consciousness. Other residents reportedly suffered injuries such as smoke inhalation and back pain.

The police and fire authorities are investigating the exact extent of the damage and the cause of the fire, which is believed to have been caused by a gas explosion.

Due to the fire, the apartment experienced a power outage, and six residents were trapped in the elevator but were rescued by the fire authorities. Additionally, 29 residents evacuated on their own.

The apartment where the fire occurred is a rental apartment approximately 15 years old. The district office is preparing temporary shelters for 45 displaced residents.