8th Army soldier accused in New Year’s restaurant fire

8th Army soldier accused in New Year’s restaurant fire
By Jimmy Norris and Hwang Hae-rym, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, January 7, 2009

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.


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