Daegu Apartment Fire Kills Family of Three in Early Morning Blaze - Police Investigate Suspected Arson

A tragic early morning apartment fire in Daegu killed a family of three, including two teenage siblings and their mother, on August 10. Police are investigating the incident as suspected arson after discovering four separate ignition points throughout the apartment unit, raising concerns about a deliberate act.

The fire broke out at approximately 3:35 AM on the 11th floor of a 17-story apartment building in Sincheon-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu. Emergency responders arrived within minutes of receiving the emergency call and managed to completely extinguish the blaze within 19 minutes, but the family members had already perished by the time rescue teams reached them.

The victims have been identified as a 13-year-old male student, his 11-year-old sister, and their 47-year-old mother. Rescue teams found the teenage siblings in the master bedroom, already deceased, while their mother was discovered after falling from the apartment building and was rushed to the hospital but later died from her injuries.

Four Ignition Points Discovered - "Suspected Arson"

Police and fire authorities' forensic examination of the scene revealed fire ignition points in four different locations: the master bedroom, kitchen, and two areas in the living room. The simultaneous fires in multiple locations, unlike typical house fires, strongly suggests intentional arson, according to investigators.

A police official stated, "Based on comprehensive review of the scene conditions and fire patterns, we suspect arson. We are conducting precise forensic analysis in cooperation with the scientific investigation team to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the fire."

Notably, no external injuries were found on the deceased family members, which has become an important clue in the investigation. Police have also confirmed that the father, who lived with the family, was not present at the scene during the fire and are investigating related parties regarding the incident's circumstances.

Twenty Residents Evacuated - Three Injured from Smoke Inhalation

The fire forced approximately twenty residents to evacuate on their own, with three people suffering minor injuries from smoke inhalation. All injured residents received hospital treatment and are reported to have no serious health complications.

The apartment building where the fire occurred is a 17-story residential complex built in the early 2000s. Fire authorities reported that there were no particular problems with fire prevention facilities and management conditions. During the fire suppression process, fire safety systems including sprinklers operated normally, according to fire officials.

Neighboring residents expressed shock at the sudden early morning fire. One resident living in the same apartment building said, "It was usually a quiet and harmonious family, and I never expected something like this to happen. It's so heartbreaking that even the young children lost their lives."

This incident has also increased attention to summer fire safety management. Fire authorities noted that "fire risks remain significant during summer when electricity usage increases due to continued heat waves," urging residents to "follow fire prevention guidelines and familiarize themselves with evacuation procedures."

Meanwhile, Daegu Dong-gu Office has decided to provide funeral support and counseling services for the families who suddenly lost their loved ones in this tragedy. A district office official stated, "We will spare no administrative support to help the bereaved families who suffered great shock from this sudden accident find stability."

Police plan to announce the investigation results after determining the full scope of the incident based on forensic analysis and interviews with related parties. They have indicated that if arson suspicions are confirmed, they will conduct a thorough investigation of those responsible.

This case serves as another reminder of the importance of home fire safety management, with calls growing nationwide for strengthened fire prevention education and safety inspections. Experts emphasize that "regular fire safety inspections along with all family members familiarizing themselves with fire evacuation procedures are most important."

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Original Article (Korean): Read in Korean