On the morning of the 30th, a fire broke out in a unit on the 14th floor of a 20-story apartment building in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, leaving two people dead and six with minor injuries.
A man in his 60s, identified as A, who lived in the unit where the fire started, fell and died. His wife, a woman in her 50s identified as B, was later found dead inside the unit, bringing the fire-related death toll to two.
Six residents suffered minor injuries, including from inhaling smoke, and are receiving treatment. Another 11 residents was found to have evacuated safely.
A suicide note, believed to have been left by A, was found at the scene. The note reportedly expressed despair over personal circumstances, including financial difficulties.
According to the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, at about 10:30 a.m. multiple reports were filed of a fire at an apartment in Naeson-dong, Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province.
About 15 minutes after the first report, at about 10:45 a.m., fire authorities issued Response Level 1, which deploys all personnel from the jurisdictional fire station. Authorities mobilized about 30 pieces of equipment and 110 personnel.
The main blaze was brought under control about 50 minutes after it started, at about 11:21 a.m. Fire authorities lifted the emergency after a situation assessment meeting at about 12:26 p.m.
About two hours after the fire broke out, at about 12:35 p.m., authorities said they had fully extinguished the fire after completing mop-up operations.
Police and fire authorities plan to investigate the exact extent of the damage, the cause of the fire, and the circumstances of the couple's deaths and the fall through an on-site examination.
The affected apartment building has 20 stories above ground, one basement level, and a total floor area of about 8,800 square meters, with 78 households residing there.
Uiwang city sent an emergency text message at about 10:39 a.m. urging nearby residents to use caution.