On the morning of the 21st, a fire broke out in an apartment in Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, resulting in one death and six injuries, with the deceased identified as a suspect in the arson.
Police stated that after confirming the fingerprints of a man in his 60s, referred to as Mr. A, found in the hallway of the 4th floor of the apartment where the fire occurred, he was identified as the same person suspected of arson. The deceased suspect is believed to have started the fire using a pesticide sprayer.
A police official noted, "Mr. A first set fire to the villa where he lived and then to the apartment. This apartment was where Mr. A had previously lived," adding that he was a resident and neighbor of the damaged apartment. Police suspect that Mr. A sustained burns while setting the fire with the pesticide sprayer.
Earlier, police received a report around 8:04 a.m. that "a man is shooting a flame-throwing device" from the villa. They later identified Mr. A as a key suspect after confirming his motorcycle in the parking lot of the burned apartment. The villa and apartment that Mr. A set on fire are approximately 1.4 km apart in a straight line.
A suicide note was found at Mr. A's current residence, reportedly containing messages asking his daughter to take care of his mother. According to police, 50,000 won was included with a note to be used for "mother's hospital expenses."
As a result of the fire, two residents, including 81-year-old Choi and a woman estimated to be in her 70s or 80s, suffered full-body burns and fell from the 4th floor. They were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Four other residents aged 50 to 80, who sustained minor injuries from the fall or showed symptoms of smoke inhalation and respiratory distress, were also taken to the hospital.
Police and fire authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of the accident.