Mother and Son Die in Apartment Fire in Gayang-dong, Seoul

[Anchor]

A mysterious fire broke out at a 15-story apartment building in Gayang-dong, Seoul, leaving two people dead and forcing dozens of residents to evacuate. The victims were a mother with a disability and her son who cared for her.

Here is more from reporter An Huijae.

[Reporter]

Thick black smoke billows continuously alongside bright red flames.

Structures unable to withstand the heat collapse powerlessly amid an explosion sound, and fire crews arrive shortly after to pour water continuously.

The fire report at an apartment complex in Gayang-dong, Seoul, was received at around 4:50 PM, stating that flames suddenly shot up from the 15th floor.

[Witness: When I opened the door to the other side, smoke was rising all the way from the 15th floor. Police cars came, and about ten-plus fire trucks....]

Although the fire was completely extinguished in about 1 hour and 10 minutes, a 61-year-old mother, identified as A, and her 38-year-old son, B, who lived in the burned unit, were found dead in the flowerbed on the first floor of the apartment building.

As a basic livelihood security recipient household, A suffered from a brain lesion disability and was cared for by her husband and son B. The fire is understood to have broken out while the husband was out.

[Witness: It went bang, bang twice like a gas explosion. There are three family members, but I think the husband was outside....]

One resident in their 60s living next door also received hospital treatment for smoke inhalation, and about 40 residents had to evacuate urgently.

Along with the exact cause of the fire, police and fire authorities are investigating the details of the accident, including whether the mother and son fell out of the window while trying to escape the flames.

(Video by Bae Moon-san | Video Editing by Yu Mi-ra | Footage provided by viewer)

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