What happened in the two Gangnam building fires in Seoul?

Two separate fires broke out in buildings about 200 meters apart in Gangnam on Tuesday. The first fire injured 10 people and left one in cardiac arrest, while the second injured eight people.

When and where did the two fires in Gangnam occur?

The first fire began on the third floor of a building in Gangnam at 11:54 a.m. The second started on the fourth floor of a nearby building at 12:01 p.m.

Are the two Gangnam fires believed to be connected, and will arson be investigated?

A fire official said the two fires appeared unrelated, but police will determine whether they were connected. Investigators also plan to examine the possibility of arson after the fires are fully extinguished.

1 in cardiac arrest, 18 others injured in 2 building fires in southern Seoul

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Summary

Separate fires broke out at two buildings in Gangnam, southern Seoul, Tuesday, leaving one person in cardiac arrest and 18 others injured. The first fire began on the third floor at 11:54 a.m., forcing about 60 people to evacuate and injuring 10. The second started on the fourth floor of a building about 200 meters away at 12:01 p.m., injuring eight. Authorities said the fires appeared unrelated, pending police investigations.

Key Facts

Authorities dispatched 115 firefighters after receiving a report that someone had started a fire.
Police will investigate the exact causes of the fires, including the possibility of arson, after the fires are fully extinguished.
The first blaze caused one person to go into cardiac arrest, while 10 others were injured.
The second fire broke out seven minutes after the first and left eight people injured.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 20, 2026 2:11 pm KST
Updated Oct 20, 2026 2:42 pm KST

Smoke billows from a building that caught fire in Seoul's Gangnam District, Tuesday. Yonhap

One person went into cardiac arrest and 18 others were injured Tuesday after separate fires broke out at two buildings in southern Seoul, fire authorities said.

One of the fires began on the third floor of a building in Seoul's southern ward of Gangnam at 11:54 a.m., forcing some 60 people to evacuate, according to the authorities.

The blaze left one person in cardiac arrest and 10 others injured.

The second fire broke out on the fourth floor of a building located about 200 meters away at 12:01 p.m., leaving eight people injured.

Authorities dispatched 115 firefighters to put out the fires after receiving a report that someone had started a fire.

A fire official said in a briefing that the two fires so far appeared to be unrelated but that police will determine if they are, following their investigations.

The police said they plan to investigate the exact causes, including the possibility of arson, once the fires are fully extinguished.

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