A fire broke out in the basement of an apartment building in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, leaving 11 people with serious and minor injuries, including a 2-year-old girl.

The fire broke out at around 8:30 a.m. today (October 14) on the second basement level of a 27-story apartment building in Dongsak-dong, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.

Initially, it was reported that there were seven minor injuries, but it was later confirmed that a 2-year-old girl who inhaled smoke suffered serious injuries, while 10 others were taken to the hospital complaining of throat irritation and other symptoms.

In addition, five residents who were trapped in an elevator in the affected apartment building were rescued by firefighters, and more than 10 people, including management office staff and residents, evacuated on their own.

Fire authorities mobilized 17 pieces of equipment and 48 personnel, completely extinguishing the fire at around 9:50 a.m., one hour and 24 minutes after it began.

The fire is believed to have started from the electrical switchboard installed in the electrical equipment room (EPS room) on the second basement level.

Police and fire authorities believe that water leaked into the basement switchboard due to an unidentified water leak, causing an electrical short circuit that started the fire, and are investigating the exact cause of the incident.

(Photo provided by Gyeonggi Disaster and Safety Headquarters, Yonhap News)