"Filial Son Living with Brain-Lesioned Mother"... Tragedy as Mother and Son Fall from 15th Floor in Apartment Fire

A mother with a brain lesion and her son, who lived with and cared for her, died after falling from the 15th floor during an apartment fire in Gayang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on August 11.

They were found dead together in the apartment complex's flowerbed.

Fire and police authorities presume that they jumped and died as the fire spread to their 15th-floor home at 4:55 PM that day.

Three people lived in the household where the fire broke out: a couple in their 60s and their 38-year-old son.

The mother and son died on this day, while the father escaped harm as he was out before the fire started.

A welfare official in Gangseo-gu stated, "We understand that the mother is a person with a brain lesion and the father also has poor health and uses a wheelchair, leaving the son to care for his parents alone."

The apartment where the fire occurred is a permanent rental apartment, and the deceased were confirmed to be basic livelihood security recipients.

The official added, "Given that they had disabilities and faced financial difficulties, we understand that a comprehensive social welfare center visited the household to conduct inspections and provide support."

Police lines were set up around the apartment's flowerbed.

Residents looking up at the blackened 15th floor could not hide their dismay.

A resident surnamed Park said, "I heard a thud and thought a window had fallen. We used to see each other's faces passing by, so I feel miserable and my stomach is turning."

A person in their 60s surnamed Choi, who works at a shopping district within the complex, guessed, "The son was a filial son. When the fire broke out, he probably couldn't leave his mother behind and jumped to try to save her."

Choi added that they understood the mother had lost her sight due to diabetic complications.

Sighing, Choi said, "I use a wheelchair myself, so I know that when a fire breaks out, it is difficult for people with physical disabilities to evacuate. If a fire breaks out, we have no choice but to die."

A 3rd-floor resident of the fire-affected apartment said, "I had taken off all my clothes to take a bath, but when I heard there was a fire, I just put on whatever was nearby and came right out. I thought it was a fire drill. But what on earth is this?" conveying the urgent situation at the time.

On-site forensics on this day concluded at 8:20 PM, about 3 hours and 30 minutes after the fire broke out.

It is expected to take a considerable amount of time to determine the exact details and cause of the fire.

A fire official stated, "At the initial stage of suppression, we thought there were no casualties because there was no one inside the house, but afterwards, the deceased were found in the flowerbed. The exact ignition point is still under investigation, but it is presumed that the fire started inside the house."

Fire authorities are investigating the cause of the fire while keeping all possibilities open, including electrical factors and arson.

The official added, "The exact cause of the fire and the time of death need to be investigated. We have not yet figured out the exact timing, whether they jumped after the fire spread or before it."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.