A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to the apartment where he lived with his mother.
According to Yonhap News, the Gwangju Northern Police Station announced that they are investigating the man, identified as A, for allegedly committing arson (destruction of property by fire) at his home.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:33 p.m. in a sixth-floor apartment in Unam-dong, Gwangju.
A is accused of intentionally igniting clothing with a lighter while he was at home with his mother, identified as B, in her 60s.
B reportedly told police, "My son started the fire."
The fire was extinguished within about 30 minutes, but a 70-year-old security guard was found in cardiac arrest in the apartment's emergency stairwell and was transported to the hospital.
Additionally, one firefighter who was involved in the extinguishing efforts experienced dizziness and required hospital treatment, while 12 residents were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
A, who also inhaled smoke, is receiving medical treatment but is not in critical condition.
The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding A's actions and the security guard's condition.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.