Resident Succumbs to Injuries in Gyeongsan Apartment Arson; Police Raid Suspect's Home and Vehicle

[Anchor]

A resident in her 50s who suffered severe full-body burns in an apartment management office fire in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, has ultimately passed away. Police have executed a search and seizure warrant for the home and vehicle of the 70-year-old suspect, who faces charges of arson resulting in death, as they investigate the motive behind the crime.

This report is from TBC reporter Park Dong-joo.

[Reporter]

Police investigators enter the apartment building carrying empty boxes.

They were executing a search and seizure warrant targeting the home and vehicle of the 70-year-old suspect, identified by the surname A, in connection with the arson at the Gyeongsan apartment management office.

During the search, which lasted about an hour and forty minutes, police secured a boxful of evidence.

[(Do you view this as a premeditated crime? What is inside?)...]

According to police investigations, suspect A had been in conflict with resident representatives for years over apartment budget issues and other matters, and it was revealed that A had raised his voice against residents gathered at the management office on the day of the incident.

Having served as the chairperson of the emergency committee last March, A was already aware that a two-liter container of thinner was stored in the basement of the management office.

This is the area in front of the management office.

A day has passed since the fire broke out, but access is still prohibited, and black ash and flammable residue remain scattered about.

[Resident: We feel uneasy. What kind of act is this? Seriously, with weather this hot, how are those people suffering from burns supposed to get treatment...]

A total of eight people, including suspect A, were injured in the apartment management office arson. Among them, a woman in her 50s who suffered full-body burns has ultimately died.

It is reported that three others currently receiving hospital treatment remain in critical condition.

Police plan to upgrade the charges against suspect A to arson of an inhabited building resulting in death or injury, and to execute an arrest warrant as soon as the suspect's condition improves.

(Video by: Park Jong-young)

TBC, Park Dong-joo