1 killed in Daegu fire, arson suspected and man sought

A fire in a building in Daegu killed one and injured two on Friday afternoon.

Firefighters and police officers inspect the scene of a fire in Sincheon-dong, Daegeu that killed one and injured two on Friday afternoon. [YONHAP]

A fire in a building in Daegu killed one and injured two on Friday afternoon.

Police are investigating the incident as arson, saying a man running from the scene is suspected of causing the fire.

The fire broke out in a dance ballroom located on the fourth floor of a five-story building in Sincheon-dong, Dong District, Daegu at 1:33 p.m. Friday.

Firefighters who arrived at the site found one person dead at the entrance of the ballroom. The identity of the deceased has not yet been determined.

A man in his 40s was severely injured with third-degree burn on his entire body, while a man in his 60s suffered burns on his hands. The two were sent to a hospital for treatment.

The police are investigating reports of a man running from the scene.

“We suspect the man who left the building with his clothing on fire as the one who caused the fire, and we are in the process of confirming it,” said a spokesperson for the police.

The police and fire authorities are investigating the incident.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]