ZCZC
BFF-55
SKOREA-FIRE-CHINA
Two killed in construction site fire in South Korea
SEOUL, June 26, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A fire swept through an under-
construction apartment building in the South Korean city of Sejong on
Tuesday, leaving two dead, one missing and 37 others injured, fire
authorities said.
Fourteen Chinese workers were among the casualties but it remains unclear
whether any of the dead were Chinese, a spokesman from the National Fire
Agency said.
Of the injured, three were listed as being in a serious condition, he
added.
The fire in the 24-storey building apparently started in the underground
parking garage, the spokesman told AFP.
“There was a loud explosion and I saw huge flames and black clouds
engulfing the building just across the street”, an eye-witness told Yonhap
news agency.
“Workers were shouting for help from windows and scaffoldings”, another
witness said.
Construction firm officials estimated 169 workers were present at the site
at the time of the fire.
About 40 fire trucks and 115 firefighters battled the blaze but they were
hampered by toxic gas and smoke from burning insulating materials, a
firefighter at the scene told local media.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1658 hrs