Multiple Fires Break Out Across Seoul on Saturday... One Man in His 60s Dies

by Yoo Byeongdon

Published 11 Sep.2021 18:44(KST)

Fire at SH Apartment Complex in Gaebong-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seoul Guro Fire Station

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Over the weekend of the second week of September, multiple casualties, including deaths and serious injuries, occurred due to fires in various locations across Seoul.

At around 10:05 a.m. on the 11th, a fire broke out in an underground auto parts factory in Jangan-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, and was completely extinguished after about two hours.

A man in his 60s who was in the underground factory at the time of the fire was found unconscious and was transported to a hospital but died. Four others, including a woman in her 60s who worked with him and four workers from a sewing factory on the upper floor of the same building, were also taken to the hospital after inhaling smoke. The entire basement level 1 was completely destroyed by the fire.

The fire authorities estimate that sparks generated during work at the underground auto parts factory ignited oil present at the site, producing toxic gases, and they are investigating the exact cause of the fire.

Earlier, at around 8:19 a.m., a fire broke out on the 3rd floor of a five-story apartment building owned by Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH) in Gaebong-dong, Guro-gu, and was fully extinguished by 11:04 a.m.

According to the fire department, the fire that started on the 3rd floor completely burned one household and the corridor, and flames and smoke spread to the 4th and 5th floors through the open front door and stairs.

A resident of the burned house, Mr. A (73), suffered burns over his entire body, and a neighboring resident, Mr. B (43), sustained burns on his face and other areas; both were transported to the hospital. Firefighters who responded rescued 10 residents, and five others evacuated on their own.