50s accused of arson in Gyeongbuk wildfire

A man in his 50s, suspected of causing the 26 deaths in the Gyeongbuk wildfire, has been taken into custody by the police.

 

Mr. A is suspected of setting a fire in the area while tidying up the grandparents' grave at a small mountain in Goe-san-ri, Anpyeong-myeon, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk, around 11:24 a.m. on the 22nd.

 

He is known to be denying the allegations.

At the time of the initial call, Mr. A's daughter reported to the 119 dispatch center that "there is a fire and (my great-grandfather's) oxygen is all burned out," and she said, "We came with my dad."

 

It is known that the daughter, while being questioned by the dispatched Anpyeong Police Station chief about basic facts, stated that she tried to burn a tree (in the graveyard) with a lighter after failing to break it, and a spark from the wind caused a wildfire.

 

Twenty-six people, including helicopter pilots, wildfire observers, and residents, have died in this wildfire.

It is estimated that around 4,000 buildings, including tangible cultural heritage such as Gounsa, a national treasure, as well as houses and factories, were burned down.

The area affected by the wildfire is 45,157 hectares, which is 156 times the size of Yeouido.

On the day the wildfire broke out (the 22nd), in Uiseong, separate reports were received by 119 that wildfires had also started in Anpyeong-myeon Goe-san-ri, An-gye-myeon Yong-gi-ri, and Geumseong-myeon Cheong-ro-ri.

 

According to the forestry authorities and others, the fire in Angye-myeon is believed to have started when residents were burning their fields.

Uiseong-gun Forest Department will identify the cause of the wildfire through witness statements and on-site investigations, and then verify with the involved parties whether it was intentional or not.

 

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It's not just a matter of punishment.

 

Arrest all those responsible for this serious wildfire.

 

You must ask about the sin.