Suspected Gas Explosion Fire in Pocheon Apartment: 1 Seriously Injured, 19 Suffer Smoke Inhalation

Extinguished in 40 Minutes
21 Residents Rescued, 59 Evacuated on Their Own

A fire broke out around 7:48 PM on the 16th on the sixth floor of a 15-story apartment building located in Gisan-ri, Ildong-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, and was extinguished in about 40 minutes.

A fire broke out around 7:48 PM on the 16th at an apartment located in Gisan-ri, Ildong-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, and was extinguished within 40 minutes. Provided by Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters

As a result of the fire, a woman in her 70s, identified as Ms. A, who was inside the apartment, suffered second-degree burns over her entire body and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. Of the 19 people who inhaled smoke, 13 were transported to the hospital.

Twenty-one people who were isolated were rescued, and 59 people evacuated on their own, causing a commotion.

After receiving reports from residents, the fire authorities dispatched 29 pieces of equipment and 68 personnel, and succeeded in bringing the fire under control at approximately 8:27 PM.

During this process, 13 residents who were unable to evacuate and became trapped inside apartments on the 8th to 11th floors were rescued.

Ms. A stated, "I heard a 'bang' sound, came out of the bathroom, and saw that the living room was on fire."

The fire authorities and police are investigating the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage, based on Ms. A's statement and residents' reports that "after a gas explosion on the sixth floor, the flames began to rise."