3 women killed or injured in massage parlor fire in Hwaseong ahead of holiday

A fire at a commercial building in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, left three women dead or injured Wednesday.

According to Yonhap, a passerby reported the blaze around 8 a.m. at a massage parlor on the second floor of a two-story commercial building — with a total floor area of 737 square meters — in Yangam-myeon, Manse-gu, Hwaseong. Fire authorities dispatched 27 pieces of equipment, including pump trucks, and 73 personnel to fight the fire and conduct rescue operations.

Three women inside the massage parlor were killed or injured. One was found dead at the scene, while another was rescued in cardiac arrest and taken to a hospital. The third sustained minor injuries, including smoke inhalation, and is receiving treatment.

Firefighters brought the main blaze under control about an hour and 20 minutes after it broke out and are working to extinguish the remaining embers.

Police and fire authorities plan to investigate the cause of the fire and confirm the identities of the victims once the blaze is fully extinguished.