Fire Breaks Out at Apgujeong Apartment: Chinese-Made Robot Vacuum Suspected as Cause

[Subtitle News] A fire broke out at Hanyang Apartment in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, this morning (July 21), causing residents to evacuate. It is suspected that the fire was caused by a Chinese-made robot vacuum.

The resident of the apartment where the fire started told the media, "The robot vacuum in the house was charred," adding, "It seems the fire started from the robot vacuum."

The resident further stated, "I saw sparks flying from the robot vacuum and evacuated immediately."

The robot vacuum in question is reported to be a product manufactured in China.

The fire occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. today in a fifth-floor unit of the Hanyang Apartment complex.

Fire authorities deployed 36 vehicles and 133 personnel, fully extinguishing the blaze about an hour and a half after it began.

As a result of the fire, three people, including a woman in her 70s, were treated on-site for smoke inhalation, and 21 residents evacuated on their own.

It is reported that the woman in her 70s who inhaled smoke is complaining of dizziness.

Hanyang Apartment, where the fire occurred, is an aging complex completed in 1978, now 48 years old, and is currently included in the Apgujeong District 4 reconstruction zone.

Police and fire authorities are investigating the exact cause of the fire, including whether it originated from the robot vacuum.

Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Kim Hye-ju | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.