SOUTH KOREA FIRE AT PUBLIC GYM KILLS AT LEAST 28 IN SOUTH KOREA'S JECHEON AND 22 INJUERED

Smoke rises from a burning building in Jecheon, South Korea, December 21, 2017

A fire broke out Thursday at an eight-storied Gym building in the central South Korean city of Jecheon, killing 28 people and injuring 22 others, officials said.

A Jecheon fire department official said the toll could rise as rescuers continue to search the building after putting out the fire. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing office rules.

He said many of the people who died had been using a public bath on the second and third floors, which made it harder for them to escape.

Television footage showed an eight-storied building consumed by flames issuing dark plumes of smoke, as several people stood waiting for help on the outdoor terrace.

Local media showed firefighters battling the blaze with trucks and helicopters, and a man jumping from a window as firefighters held a mattress below.

“The fire produced so much toxic smoke so quickly, leaving many people unable to evacuate,” the spokesman said. 

Jecheon is in central South Korea, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) southeast of the capital Seoul. 

President Moon Jae-In expressed regret over the accident and urged officials “utmost efforts” for rescue and search operations, his office said.

The worst fire accident ever to hit the modern South Korea was an arson attack on a subway station in the southeastern city of Daegu that killed 192 people in 2003.  

News source : Website