8 Dead in Karaoke Bar Fire in South Korea

Friday, January 16, 2009

Newswire reports are confirming that eight people have died in a karaoke bar fire in South Korea Wednesday night. The bar, located in the southern port city of Busan, reportedly caught fire after an electrical short-circuit. All of the eight victims were in a private karaoke room located in inside a basement karaoke box venue and firefighters indicated that all eight died from smoke inhalation. Because the bar had no sprinklers or clearly marked exits, victims were trapped, although it was clear that five people were searching desperately for an exit since they were all found in one room. Two employees escaped unhurt and there are unconfirmed reports that the fleeing employees failed to activate a fire alarm. An 11^th person is critically injured and is currently on life support.