Fire at Dongducheon Temple... One Monk in His 70s Dies

Extinguished after about seven hours

A fire broke out at a temple in Dongducheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, resulting in the death of a monk in his 70s.

According to the Gyeonggi Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 11th, the fire that started around 8:15 a.m. the previous day at a temple in Saengyeon-dong, Dongducheon-si, was completely extinguished after about seven hours.

The fire claimed the life of a monk in his 70s, identified as Mr. A. It is preliminarily believed that Mr. A was in the attic of the temple and was unable to evacuate in time. Three residents living in a house behind the building evacuated urgently.

Firefighters are extinguishing a fire that broke out at a temple in Saengyeon-dong, Dongducheon-si, around 8:15 a.m. on the 10th. Provided by Gyeonggi Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters

The fire completely destroyed one temple building measuring 51.4 square meters, and furnishings and home appliances were lost, with the fire department estimating property damage at 48 million KRW.

Upon receiving the report, the fire authorities dispatched 22 pieces of equipment and 59 personnel to the scene to carry out firefighting and rescue operations.

The police and fire authorities are investigating the exact cause, believing the fire started due to negligence in handling a wood-fired boiler.