Charger sparks fire in Seoul dorm, 449 students flee

The electric scooter that caused the fire. Courtesy of Songpa Fire Station

By Jung Hae-myoung

Nearly 500 students escaped after fire broke out at a Korea National Sport University dormitory in southern Seoul early Wednesday.

According to firefighters, the battery charger of an electric scooter parked in the dorm hallway started the blaze at 1:36 a.m. while 449 students were asleep.

Seven were hospitalized for treatment for smoke inhalation.

The students were fighting the fire when fire engines arrived.