The Gwangju Northern Police Station has arrested a man in his 40s, identified as A, on charges of arson after he allegedly set fire to a 21-story apartment building in Unam-dong, Buk-gu, on November 11.
A is accused of igniting a fire in his sixth-floor apartment around 6:33 p.m. The blaze resulted in serious injuries to three individuals, including a security guard in his 70s, while 11 other residents sustained minor injuries.
According to police, A's mother, identified as B, reported that her son had set fire to clothing and other items.
Firefighters responded to the incident and extinguished the flames within approximately 30 minutes.
During the fire, the 70-year-old security guard was found in cardiac arrest on the 13th-floor staircase and was transported to a hospital. Two other residents also suffered serious injuries.
Additionally, 11 residents were treated for smoke inhalation. About 20 residents who evacuated the building have since returned home.
A, who is also receiving treatment for smoke inhalation, is currently hospitalized. The estimated property damage from the fire is approximately 82 million won.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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