Tunisian detained for starting fire at logistics terminal

Firefighters extinguish a fire hitting a building at a logistic terminal in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. /

By Jun Ji-hye

Police took a Tunisian national in his 20s into custody, Wednesday, on suspicions that a cigarette butt he had thrown away caused a fire at a logistics terminal in the city of Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province.

The fire, which broke out at 10:35 a.m., Tuesday, was extinguished about 26 hours later, after over 400 firefighters worked through the night with about 150 pumps, fire helicopters and other equipment.

No one was hurt, but the fire is believed to have caused property damage of at least 22 billion won ($18 million), according to the fire authorities.

Gunpo Police Station officials said they believe the fire was started by the cigarette butt that was thrown onto a rubbish heap.

The Tunisian could be charged with causing a fire by gross negligence.

Police said surveillance camera footage showed the man smoking a cigarette and throwing the butt onto a pile of paper boxes on the rubbish heap. The fire started there about 18 minutes later, with the blaze spreading to a nearby five-story building at the terminal fanned by the strong wind.

“We will decided on whether to request a warrant for his formal arrest after carrying out a more thorough investigation,” an official said.

The Tunisian has been working for one of the companies using the logistics terminal for about two months.

About 10 companies used the building to store furniture, clothing and other products.

The fire authorities said the damage estimates could rise after they carry out a detailed inspection of the site.