Seoul:Police on Tuesday apprehended a man in connection with suspected arson at two buildings in southern Seoul that left 19 people injured, officials said. The incidents occurred in the southern ward of Gangnam, where the suspect, a man in his 70s, is accused of starting fires at two locations.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the suspect ignited the first fire on the third floor of a building at 1154 a.m. and the second on the fourth floor of a nearby building at 1201 p.m. The first blaze forced approximately 60 people to evacuate and resulted in 11 injuries, including one individual who suffered cardiac arrest. Firefighters managed to extinguish this fire by 220 p.m.

The second fire injured eight people and was brought under control by 1235 p.m. Authorities dispatched 115 firefighters to combat the blazes after receiving reports of the arson. The suspect was apprehended near Dongmyo Station in central Seoul at 416 p.m. after fleeing via the subway and was subsequently taken to Suseo Police Station for questioning.

The suspect revealed to reporters his preparation for the arson over three days, citing a dispute with a patent firm regarding an overseas trademark registration as his motive. A police official stated that further details could not be disclosed as the investigation is ongoing.