Osan (South Korea): A shocking accident in South Korea has left one woman dead and several others injured after a resident allegedly tried to kill a cockroach with a makeshift flamethrower, triggering a massive apartment fire.
According to reports by The BBC, the incident occurred on October 20 in the city of Osan, when a woman in her 20s used an improvised flame device in her apartment to kill the insect. However, the flame accidentally ignited nearby objects, setting her unit ablaze. The fire quickly spread to the building’s stairwell, trapping several residents inside.
Fire spreads rapidly through the building
Local police said the blaze engulfed parts of the five-storey apartment complex, forcing residents to seek desperate means of escape. Firefighters rushed to the scene and rescued several people trapped inside their homes, but one woman — a Chinese national in her 30s — lost her life during the chaos.
The victim, who had reportedly given birth just two months earlier, attempted to flee through a fifth-floor window with her husband after handing their baby to neighbours in an adjacent building. The husband managed to jump safely, but the woman slipped and fell to the ground, suffering critical injuries. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
Infant rescued, others injured
Authorities confirmed that the couple’s newborn baby was safely caught by neighbours and is unharmed. Eight other residents suffered minor injuries, mainly from smoke inhalation, and were treated at local hospitals.
“The fire spread rapidly due to the use of flammable materials inside the apartment,” an Osan Fire Department official said, adding that the quick response of neighbours prevented further casualties.
Suspect faces criminal charges
Police have identified the woman in her 20s who caused the fire and are now pursuing legal action against her. She faces charges of causing death by negligence and accidentally starting a fire. A warrant for her arrest has been issued as she is considered a flight risk.
Investigators said that the woman had been attempting to exterminate a cockroach when the flame caught nearby items, sparking the inferno. “The investigation will be handed over to prosecutors once the final review of the evidence is completed,” officials confirmed.
Tragic consequences of a reckless act
The bizarre incident has sparked discussions online about safety awareness and the risks of using hazardous methods for pest control. Authorities have urged residents to rely on safe alternatives and avoid improvising with flammable materials indoors.