[Anchor]

A fire broke out at Hanyang Apartment in Apgujeong, Seoul, this morning (July 21), forcing around 20 residents to evacuate in a hurry. A resident stated that the fire suddenly started from a Chinese-made robot vacuum cleaner.

Reporter Yoo Soo-Hwan has the story.

[Reporter]

Flames and smoke are pouring out of the apartment window without pause.

Debris is seen flying out of the window along with the smoke.

The fire occurred around 10:30 a.m. today at Hanyang Apartment in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Due to the fire, about 20 residents were quickly evacuated to a nearby senior center. A woman in her 70s complained of dizziness after inhaling smoke, but it is reported that her life is not in danger.

The fire authorities deployed 36 vehicles and 133 personnel, bringing the major flames under control within 20 minutes of receiving the report and fully extinguishing the fire at 12:04 p.m.

Three apartment residents were also rescued by firefighters.

[Apartment Security Guard: I made all the reports. A foreign housekeeper came running down crying. I ran up. There was a 'bang' and black smoke erupted from the master bedroom. It was so thick with smoke that it wasn't at a stage where we could use a fire extinguisher.]

It is reported that the housekeeper was alone in the apartment when the fire started.

Police and fire authorities are known to have secured a statement saying that sparks suddenly flew from a Chinese-made robot vacuum cleaner, but they explained that they cannot yet conclude the exact point of ignition or the cause of the fire.

[Gangnam Fire Station Fire Investigator: There is a robot vacuum cleaner (inside the home). We have to investigate (the cause of the fire).]

[Apartment Resident: They were carrying it (the robot vacuum) away earlier. It looked like the police were taking the robot vacuum.]

The fire authorities plan to determine the exact cause of the fire through on-site forensic examinations, keeping in mind the possibility that the fire started due to electrical factors in the home appliance.

(Video reporting: Bae Moon-san | Video editing: Kim Yoon-sung | Footage courtesy of Seoul Gangnam Fire Station)