10-year-old dies, sister critically injured in Busan apartment blaze

A 10-year-old girl died and her younger sister was critically injured when a fire broke out in their Busan apartment while their parents were at work. 

According to police and fire authorities, the fire occurred around 4:15 a.m. Tuesday on the fourth floor of an apartment in Gaegeum-dong, Busanjin District, Busan. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes and did not spread to other properties.

The 10-year-old girl died at the scene. 

Her seven-year-old sister was taken to a hospital and remains in critical condition. She is reportedly having difficulty breathing on her own.

Authorities believe the children were home alone while their parents were out working, cleaning a building.

“There is no indication of external trauma or foul play at this time,” a police official said.

“We believe the fire started in the living room, based on burn patterns, and spread to the kitchen and bedroom.”

Fire authorities and police are working together to determine the exact cause of the blaze.  

Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.

BY KIM MIN-JU, HYEON YE-SEUL [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]