Busan Gijang-gun Apartment Fire Claims Lives of Young Sisters

A tragic incident occurred in an apartment in Gijang-gun, Busan, where elementary school sisters lost their lives in a fire.

The young children, who were home alone while their parents were out, were confirmed to have suffered from the fire.

According to the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, a fire broke out around 11 PM on the 2nd in an apartment on the 6th floor of an apartment complex in Gijang-eup. Fire authorities received the report and immediately dispatched teams, managing to control the flames by approximately 11:33 PM, about 30 minutes later.

The fire primarily spread through the living room and balcony area, and the 7-year-old and 11-year-old sisters were found unconscious inside the house.

Firefighters immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the two children and rushed them to a nearby hospital, but unfortunately, both sisters died. It was investigated that their parents were out during the fire.

Due to this incident, over 100 residents of the same apartment evacuated for safety, and no additional injuries were reported.

A fire official stated, "The rescue team that arrived at the scene first entered immediately and rescued the sisters, but they were already unconscious at that time," adding, "The exact point of ignition and cause will be confirmed through an investigation."

The fire department and police conducted a joint investigation with relevant agencies on the morning of the 3rd to closely examine the cause and circumstances of the fire.

Previously, on the 24th of last month, a fire occurred on the 4th floor of an apartment in Busanjin-gu, resulting in the deaths of sisters aged 10 and 7.

According to police investigations, the fire is presumed to have started near a power outlet connected to an electronic device while both parents were out for work.

Image source: Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters