Woman Accidentally Kills Neighbour While Trying to Burn Cockroach in South Korean Apartment
Woman Trying to Kill Cockroach Accidentally Starts Fire, Leaving One Dead in South Korea
A tragic accident in South Korea has claimed the life of a young mother after a woman’s attempt to kill a cockroach went horribly wrong.
According to a report by BBC, the incident took place on October 20 in the city of Osan, when a woman in her 20s tried to burn a cockroach using hairspray and a lighter, creating a makeshift flamethrower. The fire quickly spread through her apartment, igniting the building’s stairwell and trapping residents inside.
Authorities confirmed that the woman responsible is now facing criminal charges, including causing death by negligence and starting a fire. Police have also issued a warrant for her arrest, citing her as a potential flight risk.
How the Victim Died
As reported by People magazine, one of the trapped residents—a woman in her 30s and a Chinese national—was at home with her husband and their two-month-old baby when the fire broke out. With thick smoke blocking the stairway, the couple attempted to escape through a fifth-floor window.
They managed to hand their baby safely to neighbours in an adjacent building just a metre away. The husband then jumped across to safety, but the woman slipped while trying to follow and fell five floors to the ground. She was rushed to the hospital but later died from her injuries. Their infant daughter is safe and unharmed.
Casualties and Investigation
Authorities reported that eight other residents sustained minor injuries, mostly from smoke inhalation. No other deaths were confirmed.
Police are continuing their investigation and plan to hand the case over to prosecutors after reviewing all the evidence.
What began as an attempt to kill an insect has turned into a tragic reminder of how dangerous household fire misuse can be.
