"Oh, my son..." Teen Sets Fire After Not Getting a New Phone

[The Financial News] Gwangju Bukbu Police Station announced on the 21st that a teenage boy, identified as A, has been booked on suspicion of arson of an inhabited building. A is accused of setting fire to bedding in a small room on the third floor of an apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju at around 10:52 p.m. the previous day using a lighter.
During police questioning, A stated, "I committed the act because I was not given a new phone." As a result of the fire, 17 residents suffered minor smoke inhalation injuries and were taken to hospital. Thirty-seven people evacuated on their own, and 36 were rescued.
The apartment unit was completely destroyed by fire, and fire authorities estimated the property damage at approximately 121.1 million won. The blaze was fully extinguished at around 11:18 p.m., 26 minutes after it started. Police plan to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
[email protected] Jung Ji-woo Reporter