Seven Injured, Including Three in Serious Condition
Critical Burn Victims Rushed to Hospital
Residents Strongly Assert "Deliberate Arson"
Fire Believed to Have Started on First Floor of Multi-Family Residence
Police "Keeping All Possibilities Open in Ongoing Investigation"
On the afternoon of December 27, a fire believed to be arson broke out in a three-story multi-family residential building in Amsa-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, injuring seven residents. Among the victims, three are reported to be in critical condition due to extensive burns and smoke inhalation, but fortunately, their lives are not in danger.
According to the Gangdong Fire Station, the fire started on the first floor of the building at around 3:37 p.m. and was completely extinguished at 4:18 p.m.-about 40 minutes later-by 147 firefighters and 33 pieces of equipment dispatched to the scene after the report. A total of five people, including three with serious injuries, were urgently transported to the hospital, while the remaining two received emergency treatment at the scene. Seven other residents inside the building managed to evacuate on their own, preventing further casualties.
Some residents rescued from the scene strongly asserted the possibility of arson, stating that "someone deliberately set the fire." In response, fire authorities and police are focusing their investigation on determining the exact cause of the fire, including the possibility of arson, based on witness statements and on-site inspections. A police official stated, "We are keeping all possibilities open as we proceed with the investigation, and we are focusing on securing concrete evidence, such as whether any incendiary devices were used."
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