# Apartment Arson in Gwangju Leads to Security Guard's Cardiac Arrest A resident set fire to their own home, resulting in multiple injuries and casualties. - **Source:** [Kyunghyang](https://www.khan.co.kr) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1f89675e-5a97-4898-887a-6c77430c4793 ## Intentional Fire Incident On October 11, a residential fire broke out in an apartment complex located in Unam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. Authorities identified the incident as arson, initiated by a resident within their own sixth-floor unit. The suspect, a man in his 40s, allegedly used a lighter to ignite clothing while his mother was present. ## Police Investigation Underway The Gwangju Bukbu Police Station has officially booked the suspect on charges of arson of an inhabited building. During initial questioning, the suspect's mother, a woman in her 70s, confirmed that her son started the fire. Investigators are currently working to determine the specific motives and circumstances behind the suspect's actions. ## Casualties and Medical Impact While firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes, the human cost was significant. A security guard in his 70s was discovered in the emergency stairwell suffering from cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital. Additionally, 12 residents and one firefighter required medical treatment after inhaling smoke during the evacuation process. ## Suspect's Current Status The perpetrator also suffered from smoke inhalation during the incident and is currently receiving medical care under police supervision. Officials stated that his injuries are not life-threatening. Once he is medically cleared, police intend to conduct further interrogations to clarify his movements and the exact sequence of events that day. ## Emergency Response Operations The Gwangju Integrated Fire Headquarters deployed resources immediately following the 6:33 PM report. Firefighters faced challenging conditions while navigating the smoke-filled building to rescue trapped residents and extinguish the flames. The rapid response prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent units, though the structural damage remains confined to the sixth-floor apartment. ## Security Guard's Role Investigators are focusing on the security guard's movements during the fire to understand how he reached the stairwell in such a critical condition. The proximity of the guard to the incident site suggests he may have been attempting to assist with evacuation or alert residents when he was overcome by smoke. ## Safety Protocols and Risks This incident highlights the severe risks posed by residential arson in high-density apartment complexes. Smoke inhalation remains the primary cause of injury in such vertical structures, often affecting individuals far from the actual source of the fire. Authorities are reviewing building safety protocols to ensure better protection for staff and residents. ## Broader Legal Implications Under local law, arson of an inhabited building is a serious crime carrying heavy penalties due to the high risk of loss of life. The legal proceedings will likely involve a psychiatric evaluation of the suspect to determine his state of mind at the time of the offense, which will influence sentencing. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.khan.co.kr/article/202611112312001/?utm_source=khan_rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=total_news — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._