Tragic Fire in Gwangmyeong Apartment Claims Five Lives

A devastating fire broke out in a ten-story apartment building in Soha-dong, Gwangmyeong, on the night of July 17, resulting in five fatalities. According to police reports on July 31, an elderly resident in their 80s, identified as A, succumbed to their injuries at Han River Sacred Heart Hospital at 8:29 AM after being in a coma for 14 days due to severe burns.

Initially, three individuals lost their lives at the scene of the fire, and on July 29, another elderly resident, B, who was critically injured, also passed away. B was the mother of a deceased man in his 60s. Currently, among the three remaining critically injured individuals, one is still in a coma. A police spokesperson indicated that the possibility of additional fatalities cannot be ruled out due to the condition of the patients.

The apartment building features a pilotis structure on the first floor. The fire ignited in the parking area at approximately 9:10 PM and rapidly spread up the exterior of the building to the roof. In total, five people died, three sustained serious injuries, and 57 residents required hospital treatment for smoke inhalation and other related issues.