A massive fire at Seoul’s largest apartment complex in Gangnam-gu’s Daechi-dong created chaos as evacuating residents blocked hallways, preventing fire trucks from reaching the underground central parking area.
Incident Unfolds Amid Evacuation Rush
Video footage captured the scene around 6:20 a.m. on January 24, when flames erupted on the eighth floor of Building 8 at Eunma Apartment. Fire engines and crews struggled to maneuver through crowded hallways leading to the central underground parking lot, where many residents sought escape routes.
One resident who escaped described the dire situation: “I barely made it down the stairs, but neighboring families couldn’t use the connected stairwells. They had to navigate the parking area, so I pulled them to safety as well.”
Fatal Outcome and Injuries
The blaze claimed the life of 16-year-old A, who succumbed to smoke inhalation while asleep. Her mother, in her 40s, and a teenage sister sustained injuries and required hospital treatment. The family had moved into the complex just five days earlier, on January 19.
Apartment Complex Challenges
Constructed in 1979, Eunma Apartment houses 4,424 households—the highest density in the country—yet lacks dedicated underground parking management. With an average of only 0.7 vehicles per household, signs direct residents to nearby commercial lots. Even post-incident, postings in cooperative buildings urge use of the central and three-dong parking areas.
Extinguishers in the buildings fail to reach the underground aisles adequately. The complex also lacks sprinkler systems, unlike some related incidents, such as a 1992 fire at a sprinkler vendor facility.
Fire Safety Gaps Highlighted
Seoul Fire Department officials point to insufficient fire escape training, particularly among younger residents, as a key factor in such tragedies. Enhanced education and infrastructure improvements remain critical to prevent future losses.
