The fire broke out around 5:41 p.m. on July 10 in an apartment in Gimbae, South Gyeongsang Province. (Gimhaeseobu Fire Station)
The fire broke out around 5:41 p.m. on July 10 in an apartment in Gimbae, South Gyeongsang Province. (Gimhaeseobu Fire Station)

A fifth grader prevented a potentially serious apartment fire by calmly using a fire extinguisher after noticing embers coming from an air conditioner’s electrical wiring, fire authorities said Tuesday.

According to the Gimhaeseobu Fire Station, the fire broke out around 5:41 p.m. on July 10 in an apartment in Gimbae, South Gyeongsang Province. The boy, who was home alone at the time, spotted smoke and sparks from the air conditioner and quickly used a fire extinguisher displayed in the apartment to suppress the flames.

Authorities credited the boy’s swift response for preventing major damage.

The child had previously learned how to use a fire extinguisher during a fire safety education session at school Local fire officials regularly conduct programs to teach students how to respond to fire emergencies.


shinjh@heraldcorp.com