Apgujeong apartment fire caused by electrical tracking

Fire investigators have concluded that a July fire at the Apgujeong Hanyang Apartments in Seoul was caused by ‘tracking’ within a wall-mounted electrical outlet, rather than a robot vacuum cleaner as initially suspected.

The Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters Fire Investigation Research Center determined that the fire originated from a short circuit caused by tracking. This phenomenon occurs when moisture, dust, or other foreign substances accumulate around electrical components, degrading insulation and creating a path for current to flow. The investigation found evidence of electrical high heat that melted the inlet and grounding terminals.

The specific location was a closed wall space created during a balcony expansion, which housed electrical wiring and an internet modem. Investigators noted that recent heavy rainfall may have contributed to the incident by increasing humidity and condensation around the drainage pipes within the wall. This combination of moisture and dust likely triggered the leakage current.

While a robot vacuum cleaner charger was found heavily damaged near the site, the National Forensic Service found no electrical abnormalities in its terminals, fuses, or motors. Furthermore, the intensity of the combustion marks on the wooden supports inside the wall was significantly stronger than those near the charger, leading officials to rule out the vacuum cleaner as the ignition source. No casualties were reported in the incident.