Fire at Paju Postpartum Care Center... 38 Mothers and Newborns Evacuated

A fire broke out at a postpartum care center in Yadang-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province, forcing mothers and newborns to evacuate urgently.

According to the Northern Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 2nd, the fire occurred around 9:45 p.m. on the 1st at a postpartum care center located on the 8th floor of a 10-story building in Yadang-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province.

Fire authorities who responded to a report of "smoke coming from the 8th floor of the building" evacuated 38 people, including 14 hospitalized newborns, mothers, and their families. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Of the 14 newborns, 10 were relocated to two nearby postpartum care centers, and 4 returned home.

The fire caused property damage estimated at 67 million KRW (according to the fire department), burning beds and other interior furnishings. Although 28 firefighting vehicles and 60 personnel were dispatched, the sprinkler system activated and the fire was extinguished within 10 minutes.

The fire authorities are investigating the cause of the fire based on witness statements reporting smoke on the 8th floor of the building.