South Korea sauna fire: At least 29 dead in major blaze at Jecheon fitness centre

It was unclear what caused the fire but it likely began at the building's car park, officials say

The building had several restaurants and leisure facilities, including a gym, the public bath and an indoor golf practice facility (EPA)

A fire broke out Thursday at an eight-story building in the central South Korean city of Jecheon, killing 29 people and injuring 29 others, officials said.

A Jecheon fire department official said the toll could rise as rescuers continue to search the building after putting out the fire. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing office rules.

He said many of the people who died had been using a public bath on the second and third floors, which made it harder for them to escape.


 Emergency services at the scene where 29 people died and dozens more were injured in a fire that engulfed a commercial building in the southern city of Jecheon 
 (EPA)

Organisers for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics said the Olympic torch relay had been scheduled to pass through Jecheon on Friday, but the route has been revised because of the tragedy.

Local media showed firefighters battling the blaze with trucks and helicopters, and a man jumping from a window as firefighters held a mattress below.

A victim is carried by firefighters (REUTERS)

Firefighters examine the burned building (REUTERS)

It was unclear what caused the fire but it likely began at the building's parking lot, according to fire officials. The building had several restaurants and leisure facilities, including a gym, the public bath and an indoor golf practice facility, the officials said.

AP