Fire Accident Due to Gas Stove Negligence

A court has imposed a fine on a 70-year-old owner of a Sundae soup restaurant, who left a pot of soup on the gas stove when returning home from work.

The Incheon District Court's Criminal Division 7, presided over by Judge Moon Jong-cheol, announced on the 16th that it has sentenced A (72) to a fine of 7 million KRW on charges of arson.

The court noted in its reasoning for the verdict, "The gas valve of the gas stove with the pot on it was found to be open," adding, "The pot was melted due to heat, and inside it, charred pig bones were discovered." The court also recognized that "no electrical fire causes were found, and there were traces of fire spreading to the wall around the pot," confirming that the fire occurred due to A's negligence.

Circumstances of the Fire Incident and Damage Situation

A was prosecuted for causing a fire by leaving a pot on the gas stove while it was lit, after going home around 9:30 PM on June 21, 2023, in his Sundae soup restaurant located in Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa County, Incheon.

The fire that started in A's restaurant spread to five nearby stores, causing significant property damage to each building.

During the trial, A claimed, "I did not leave the gas stove on," but the court did not accept this.

Judge Moon stated, "Considering that A spoke on the phone with an employee mentioning that he left the pot on the stove and then went home, it is recognized that the fire occurred due to A's negligence."

This incident has served as a reminder of the importance of fire safety management in businesses that use gas, such as restaurants.

It demonstrates that adherence to basic safety rules, such as turning off the valve after using the gas stove, is an essential factor in preventing large-scale fires.

Image source: Supplementary material for understanding the article / gettyimagebank