Mokpo Police Arrest Arsonist Who Set Fire in Motel, Seriously Injuring Guest

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Chunsu] The Mokpo Police Station in Jeonnam announced on the 13th that they have arrested and are investigating A (50) on charges of arson causing injury (arson of an inhabited building) after setting fire out of dissatisfaction with a motel owner.

A is accused of setting fire to a motel in Namgyo-dong, Mokpo-si, Jeonnam, at 12:26 a.m. on the 3rd, injuring six guests staying there.

The police identified and arrested A after confirming the cause of the fire and spotting him leaving the motel just before the fire on CCTV footage.

During the police investigation, A denied the crime, but the recorded CCTV showed him holding a lighter and cigarette, lingering around the area where the fire first started, and gesturing for one guest to leave.

The joint fire investigation by the National Forensic Service confirmed that the fire did not start from electrical leakage or inside the guest rooms, but from the area where A was lingering.

As a result of this fire, among the 11 long-term guests at the motel, three sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital; two of them have not regained consciousness to date.

Additionally, three guests were discharged with minor injuries, and the remaining five, including A, evacuated immediately after the fire.

The police, tracking A’s whereabouts, apprehended him near the fire scene on the 8th.

The police are questioning A to ascertain the exact circumstances and motives behind the incident.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.