The Korea Herald

소아쌤

Body of elderly woman found after house fire

By Catherine Chung

Published : May 17, 2018 - 12:58

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An elderly woman was found dead after a fire broke out Thursday at dawn at her house in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, fire authorities said.

The fire started around 3:17 a.m. Thursday and was extinguished 30 minutes later, according to reports.

A next-door neighbor in the village called 119 to report a “house in flames.”


A fire sets a house ablaze in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, on Thursday. (Yonhap) A fire sets a house ablaze in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, on Thursday. (Yonhap)

The fire department said it extinguished the fire in 30 minutes after arriving on the scene and found the 86-year-old woman, surnamed Lee, lying near the front door.

The fire reportedly burnt through an area of 19.8 square meters and caused approximately 5 million won ($4,635) of damages, according to reports.

Police and fire authorities suspect an electric fault started the fire. They are running inspections to determine the exact cause and origin.

By Catherine Chung (cec82@heraldcorp.com)