A Lehi woman faces serious charges following an apartment explosion that occurred last month which resulted in extensive damage and the evacuation of numerous families. Donghee Hee Kang, 57, was indicted of aggravated arson, considered a first-degree felony. This charge came after authorities determined she had allegedly caused an explosion within the Lehi Tech Apartment Complex on Oct. 22.
As reported by ABC4, the blast not only damaged Kang's unit but also affected eight other apartments. The compounded result forced a startling 90 families to evacuate the premises immediately for their safety. As per charging documents, Kang reportedly placed gas bottles onto a cooking pot containing rubbing alcohol and ignited the burner in an ill-advised attempt, resulting in a destructive explosion.
In connection with the explosion, the Lehi police suggested that the incident appeared to be "related to a mental health episode." As obtained by KSL, "Authorities have taken the necessary steps to ensure that the individual involved received the help they needed." The explosion occurred early in the morning, displacing residents around 4 a.m., many of whom were probably slumbering, unaware of the imminent danger.
While only Kang and her husband sustained minor injuries, the impact of the event rippled outwards affecting many. According to FOX 13, the charging documents did not provide further details on the mental health episode mentioned earlier. However, the impact of the explosion is unmistakable, dozens of residents were displaced and likely disenfranchised, waking up to a world shattered by an unexpected blast that not only damaged frames and windows but also shattered their sense of security.
