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Suspected arsonist found dead after fatal apartment fire in southern Seoul

Published: 21 Apr. 2025, 09:47 Updated: 21 Apr. 2025, 18:37

YIM SEUNG-HYE
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KIM JU-YEON
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A man in his 60s sets fire to a trash pile in front of a residential property in Bongcheon-dong, southern Seoul, on April 21 in this photo shared on social media. The building was located 1.4 kilometers (0.87 miles) away from the 21-story building where the man allegedly started a fire that killed himself and injured at least six others, according to police. [NEWS1]

A man suspected of starting a fatal fire in Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak District, southern Seoul, was found dead on Monday, according to fire authorities.

The fire broke out around 8:17 a.m. on Monday at a 21-story apartment complex, killing the suspected arsonist and injuring several others, according to local authorities.

Emergency services responded to calls reporting “a fire following an explosive sound.” Fire authorities issued a Level 1 response at around 8:30 a.m. and fully extinguished the flames by 9:54 a.m.

At least six others are believed to have suffered injuries from falling while escaping the fire, smoke inhalation or breathing difficulties, officials said. Two individuals — one woman in her 70s and one in her 90s — were transported to hospital with serious injuries.

Police suspect the arsonist used a pesticide sprayer to ignite the fire. An oil can was discovered in the backseat of the man's motorcycle that was parked in the apartment building's basement floor.

The man, in his 60s, was found dead on the fourth floor of the building.

"The fingerprints of the burnt body found in the hallway on the fourth floor seems to confirm that it belongs to the suspected arsonist," a police official said.

A fire broke out early Monday morning at a 21-story apartment complex in Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak district, southern Seoul, killing one person. [YONHAP]

The man reportedly left a will at his house near the building along with 50,000 won ($35) in cash.

"I am sorry to my [family]," the man wrote, according to the Kookmin Ilbo. He asked his daughter to "look over [his] mother."

The man lived on the third floor of the building he set fire to until early November last year. Police are now investigating whether the suspect committed arson due to conflicts he had while living there.

The man got into a fistfight with the person living one floor above him in September over apartment noise, prompting police to make a visit. Both individuals were not penalized as they did not file criminal charges.

"We are investigating the motive for the crime, including the possibility of being driven by resentment over inter-floor noise," police said, adding that they were also reviewing the suspect's mental health history.

Authorities are also investigating whether the same person was responsible for another fire reported at a nearby apartment shortly before the blaze erupted in the high-rise building.

Police received a call at 8:04 a.m. the same day that the suspect was setting fire to a trash pile in front of a residential property located 1.4 kilometers (0.87 miles) away from the apartment building.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE, KIM JU-YEON [[email protected]]