During the fire at the Hanyang Apartment in Apgujeong, Seoul, on July 21, the robot vacuum identified as the source of the blaze has been confirmed to be a product of the Chinese company Ecovacs. Fire officials initially suspected that the fire started near the robot vacuum's charging station, but the exact cause has yet to be determined. A definitive cause is expected to be established later this month.
According to industry sources, the robot vacuum used in the apartment during the fire was confirmed to be from Ecovacs. However, the specific model and whether it was officially distributed in South Korea remain unclear.
The fire broke out at approximately 10:27 a.m. on July 21 in a fifth-floor unit of the Hanyang Apartment in Gangnam. About 20 residents evacuated, and three were rescued. The fire was completely extinguished by 12:04 p.m. the same day. Fire officials announced the following day that they suspected the charging station of the robot vacuum as the ignition point.
Residents of the affected unit and nearby neighbors reported seeing sparks from the robot vacuum or indicated that the Chinese-made device had exploded. Some residents also stated that the robot vacuum was charging at the time of the fire, leading to suspicions about its role in the incident.
As the brand of the product was initially unknown, inquiries flooded the robot vacuum industry immediately after the incident. Multiple industry representatives reported that customer service centers of major companies received numerous calls asking about the brand of the fire-affected product. Some companies experienced disruptions in normal customer service due to the volume of inquiries.
The Gangnam Fire Department collected debris from the robot vacuum at the scene and sent it to the National Forensic Service for a detailed examination. The forensic agency has completed its analysis and recently reported its findings back to the Gangnam Fire Department. Based on this information, the fire department is expected to finalize the cause of the fire later this month. However, the Gangnam Fire Department has stated that it does not plan to issue a press release or hold a press conference regarding the findings.
Robot vacuums operate using lithium-ion batteries, and the safety of these devices can be influenced by battery management and protection systems that control overcharging and overcurrent.
Meanwhile, the exact model of the product, its distribution channels, and any issues with the battery or charging device are expected to be clarified in the fire department's final investigation results.
An Ecovacs representative stated, "We understand that the fire authorities and the National Forensic Service are investigating the cause of the fire. Until the relevant facts are confirmed, we cannot comment on specific matters."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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