Tragic Fire in Gwangmyeong Apartment Parking Lot Claims Lives

A devastating fire broke out in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Gwangmyeong, South Korea, on the night of July 17, 2025. The blaze resulted in the deaths of two residents and left 63 others injured. Fire authorities reported that they received a call at 9:05 PM about flames erupting from the ceiling of the parking area. In response, they declared a Level 2 emergency at 9:13 PM and mobilized over 100 firefighters and 40 pieces of equipment from nearby stations. By 9:56 PM, the fire was largely under control, and it was completely extinguished by 10:32 PM. Three residents were found in cardiac arrest and were rushed to the hospital, where two were later pronounced dead. Among the injured, 20 suffered serious injuries, including respiratory issues and severe burns, while 42 others were treated for smoke inhalation. Fire officials believe the fire originated from a vehicle parked in the garage and are currently investigating the exact cause. Concerns have been raised regarding the building's piloti structure, which is open on all sides and may have exacerbated the fire by allowing air to fuel the flames. This incident echoes a similar tragedy in 2015 in Uijeongbu, where a fire in a piloti-structured apartment resulted in five deaths and 125 injuries, as well as another in 2017 in Jecheon, where a fire in a sports center's parking area claimed 29 lives.