In order to determine the cause of the apartment fire in Changjeon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, which resulted in two deaths and 13 injuries, police and fire authorities began a joint investigation at 10:00 a.m. on August 18.
The agencies are investigating whether the fire started from the battery of an electric scooter that was being charged in the apartment unit on the 14th floor where the blaze began. It has been reported that a secondary battery, believed to be a battery pack, was found at the scene. However, a fire department official stated, "It is still too early to determine the exact cause."
The previous day, at around 8:10 a.m., a fire broke out in an apartment in Changjeon-dong, resulting in the deaths of two residents and injuries to 13 others. The deceased, a man in his 20s and a woman in her 60s, were mother and son; the son died at the scene, while the mother was transported to a hospital but did not survive. Additionally, 89 residents were evacuated in an emergency.
The fire department estimated the property damage at approximately 153.18 million won. The unit where the fire started was completely destroyed, and adjacent units suffered partial damage. This apartment complex consists of 950 units and was completed in 1998. At that time, sprinkler installation was mandatory only for high-rise residential buildings with 16 or more floors among apartment buildings of six floors or higher.
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