One dead, several injured after woman uses aerosol and lighter to kill cockroach

A woman’s attempt to kill a cockroach in her apartment in Osan, South Korea, ended in tragedy when her improvised flamethrower set her building ablaze. 

According to international correspondent Adam Gilchrist, the woman reportedly sprayed a flammable aerosol and ignited it with a lighter, intending to burn the insect, but instead set fire to her bed and a pile of rubbish.

The flames quickly spread through her apartment and the rest of the five-storey building. 

One neighbour managed to pass her baby out of a window to safety before falling to her death. 

Several residents were injured, and the building was badly damaged.

"So, tragedy from stupidity, right? Isn't that the human condition sometimes?"

Authorities have since charged the woman who started the blaze with manslaughter.

To listen to Gilchrist in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, use the audio below [skip to 3:05]: