Located in Itaewon, the My Thai China restaurant was the site of a New Year’s Day fire allegedly set by a U.S. soldier trying to keep warm. (Jimmy Norris / S&S)
Located in Itaewon, the My Thai China restaurant was the site of a New Year’s Day fire allegedly set by a U.S. soldier trying to keep warm. (Jimmy Norris / S&S)
Fire damage marks one of the doors of the My Thai China restaurant. (Jimmy Norris / S&S)
SEOUL — An 8th Army soldier allegedly set fire to an Itaewon restaurant after a night of binge drinking, South Korean police said.
Police said a 22-year-old Army specialist stationed at K-16 Air Base is under investigation for the early Thursday fire. He allegedly jumped onto the terrace of My Thai China, set fire to a mound of trash because he was cold, then passed out, police said.
The soldier, police said, was rescued from the blaze by Korean movie star Hong Suk-chon, who owns the My Thai China and four other Itaewon restaurants.
Hong declined Stripes’ request for an interview.
According to police, Hong heard someone shouting "fire, fire" as he escorted customers out of one of his restaurants. He and some of his employees rushed out to see fire and heavy smoke billowing from the restaurant.
After calling emergency services, Hong spotted the soldier asleep on a chair inside the restaurant. He pulled the soldier from the building and carried him away from the fire on his back.
Yongsan firefighters put out the blaze within five minutes of arriving, police said, partially because employees had been working to contain the blaze with water.
Police said it was fortunate the firefighters were able to arrive so quickly, because the area is densely packed with restaurants and homes, many of which use propane gas for heating and cooking.
"It could have been a lot worse if one of those propane tanks exploded," a policeman said.
Police said the soldier was briefly detained but was too drunk for questioning, so they turned him over to military authorities. Police said they planned to question him no later than Tuesday.
Eighth U.S. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Jeff Buczkowski was unable to provide details by deadline Monday, but did confirm that the soldier, a member of the 501st Sustainment Brigade, was under investigation in connection with the fire.
Police said Hong will not press charges against the soldier.
"[Hong] said he does not want the soldier to be punished since he did not believe the soldier did it intentionally," the policeman said. "He was very worried about whether [the soldier] was injured."
