Bucheon, August 23 — A devastating fire at a residential hotel in Bucheon city has claimed at least seven lives and injured 12 others, with several in critical condition. The fire, which broke out on the eighth floor of the nine-storey building on Thursday evening local time, is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

Emergency services deployed mattresses below the building to assist in rescuing trapped occupants. Unfortunately, two individuals died when the mattress overturned after they jumped from above.

Authorities have reported that the building, constructed in 2003, lacked adequate fire-fighting systems, which may have contributed to the severity of the blaze. The investigation into the exact cause of the fire is ongoing.