(C) Changwon Fire Headquarters
A massive fire that scorched a reed bed near the Susan Bridge in Changwon and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate was allegedly started by a man in his 50s who told police he lit the blaze because he "felt cold."
The Changwon Seobu Police Station announced on Monday that they had emergency-arrested a man, referred to as "A" (54), on charges of arson. A lighter used to ignite the fire was seized as evidence.
A Spark in the Wind: The Incident
The fire broke out at approximately 12:39 PM on February 2 in the reed fields of Daesan-myeon, Uichang-gu, near the Susan Bridge. According to police, A was riding his motorcycle when he stopped, stepped into the reeds, and ignited them with a lighter.
Driven by strong seasonal winds, the flames spread with alarming speed across the dry winter vegetation. Rather than reporting the fire, A immediately fled the scene on his motorcycle.
Emergency Mobilization and Evacuation
The scale of the fire prompted a massive response from emergency services. The Changwon Fire Headquarters deployed:
171 firefighters
8 helicopters
40 fire engines and specialized vehicles
As the smoke engulfed nearby residential areas, the Changwon municipal government issued two emergency safety alerts, urging residents and motorists to avoid the area. Hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate their homes as the fire threatened to jump to nearby structures. It took firefighters approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to fully extinguish the blaze, finally declaring it out at 4:11 PM.
"I Was Cold": A Bizarre Justification
The suspect was apprehended at 4:05 PM on a nearby street after police analyzed CCTV footage. The video showed the fire starting immediately after his motorcycle passed the area.
Upon questioning, A provided a statement that investigators described as "defying common sense." He reportedly told officers, "I was passing by on my motorcycle and felt cold, so I lit a small fire to warm up. I ran away when the flames suddenly grew too large."
A spokesperson for the Changwon Seobu Police stated, "The suspect is known to frequent this area. We are currently investigating the exact motive behind such a reckless act and plan to apply for an arrest warrant given the severity of the damage and the risk to public safety."
Context: The Danger of "Dry Season" Arson in Korea
This incident highlights the extreme vulnerability of South Korea's landscape during the winter months (December–February). According to data from the Korea Forest Service, over 60% of wildfires in Korea are caused by human negligence or intentional arson during the dry season.
Weather Factor: Humidity levels in Gyeongsangnam-do have remained below 30% recently, creating "tinderbox" conditions.
Legal Consequences: Under South Korean law, arson of a "general object" (Article 167 of the Criminal Act) can lead to imprisonment for up to 10 years. If the fire threatens human life or inhabited structures, the penalties are significantly harsher.
The police are also looking into whether A has a history of mental health issues or prior records of similar behavior, as the "cold" justification is often seen in cases of impulsive arson.
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