Seoul Gwanak-gu Apartment Arson Incident, Autopsy and Joint Investigation of 60-Year-Old Man Underway
An autopsy on A, a 60-year-old man identified as the suspect in an apartment arson incident in Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, will take place on the 22nd.
Authorities from the police and fire department will conduct a joint investigation at the fire scene that day to determine the exact cause of the fire. The National Institute of Scientific Investigation aims to identify the cause of death by examining the level of internal organ damage in A’s body.
A was found dead in the hallway of the 4th floor of the apartment, and it has not yet been confirmed whether he took his own life after committing arson or died due to catching fire during the incident.
The fire started around 8:17 AM the previous day in apartments 401 and 404 and was completely extinguished by 9:54 AM.
The police are considering the possibility that A may have committed arson out of resentment, as he had been living on the 3rd floor below the fire-affected apartments up until the end of last year and had been in conflict with residents above him over noise issues.
Consequently, the police plan to conduct inquiries with A’s family and neighboring residents to determine the exact motive for the crime.
A reportedly left a note near a villa close to his home saying, "I'm sorry, Mom," and "Take care of Grandma" for his daughter, along with approximately 50,000 won in cash, intended to help with hospital expenses.
The police have analyzed CCTV footage and suggested that A might have used a pesticide sprayer to project flames, but they are also not ruling out the use of a high-pressure washer known as a “car wash gun.” Currently, the weapon used in the crime has been almost completely destroyed by the fire.
Additionally, the police are tracing A’s purchase of the weapon and fuel, and a fuel container believed to have been used in the crime was found in the back seat of a two-wheeled vehicle A used in the apartment's underground parking lot.
As a result of the fire, A lost his life, and two women in their 70s to 80s who fell from the 4th floor sustained severe burns and were transported to the hospital. Furthermore, four individuals suffered minor injuries from falls and smoke inhalation and were also taken to the hospital, while seven others received on-site treatment for smoke inhalation.
Image Source: A fire broke out at a 21-story apartment building in Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, around 8:17 AM on the 21st. (Reader Provided) 2025.4.21/News1
