3 unresponsive, others injured in apartment parking lot fire in Gwangmyeong

Three people were transferred to the hospital unresponsive after a fire broke out at an apartment parking lot in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi, Thursday night.

Firefighters extinguish a blaze at an apartment complex in Soha-dong, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi, on July 17. [YONHAP]

Three people were found unresponsive and transferred to the hospital after a fire broke out at an apartment parking lot in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi, Thursday night.

The fire broke out at around 9:05 p.m. from the ceiling of the parking lot of an apartment in Soha-dong, Gwangmyeong, according to the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters.

The blaze reportedly spread rapidly as parked cars exploded in succession.

Fire authorities said that at least 14 other people suffered from serious injuries including burns as of 12:30 a.m. Friday. One person suffered from burns over their entire body and another remained unconscious. Some 37 people suffered from minor injuries and smoke inhalation.

Firefighters arrived at the scene four minutes after receiving a report and mobilized 43 firetrucks and 100 personnel to extinguish the fire.

The fire was completely extinguished at 10:32 p.m. Fire authorities rescued 23 residents who escaped to the rooftop and are conducting searches for more victims.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]