Security guard in his 70s who helped residents evacuate after arson dies while receiving treatment at hospital

Police change charges for arson of Hyeonju building... Local government discusses designation of doctor

(Jeonnam Gwangju = Yonhap News) Reporter Jeong Da-um = A security guard in his 70s who was in critical condition while helping residents evacuate during an arson incident that occurred at an apartment in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, died.

According to the Gwangju Northern Police Station on the 14th, security guard A (in his 70s), who was receiving treatment at a local university hospital, died around 9 p.m. the previous day.

Mr. A was found in cardiac arrest on the 13th floor of the apartment emergency stairs while helping residents evacuate when a fire broke out in an apartment in Unam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do at around 6:33 pm on the 11th.

He was taken to the hospital by fire officials and was treated in a coma for three days.

The police decided to request an autopsy from the National Institute of Forensic Science to determine the exact cause of Mr. A's death.

In addition, the charge applied to arson suspect B (40s), who intentionally set fire to the house he lived with his mother, is also scheduled to be changed from arson of a building in Hyeonju to manslaughter by arson of a building in Hyeonju.

Buk-gu plans to discuss with Jeonnam Gwangju Unified Special City an application for designation as a physician for Mr. A, who informed residents of the fire and helped them evacuate.