A fire swept through a housing facility for Korean-Chinese residents in Seoul on Monday, killing two people and injuring six, authorities said.

The two killed were identified as residents surnamed Choo, 90, and Jeon, 81, while six others were hospitalized with injuries including burns and smoke inhalation. The fire near the Cheonggyecheon Stream in Supyo-dong, Jung-gu, started around 10 p.m. on Monday night, and firefighters brought the blaze under control around 11 p.m.

The flames engulfed all of the second and parts of the first floor of the building, causing some 180 million won ($170,000) in damage. Around 75 emergency vehicles and 330 rescue workers were dispatched to the scene, but the strong blaze and a partial collapse of the building hampered rescue efforts.

The authorities said the blaze probably started in a bathroom of the second floor, and are now investigating to identify the exact cause.

(sys@heraldcorp.com)