Korean teen, 14, sets home on fire after parents refused to buy her new phone

A 14-year-old teenager in South Korea has avoided arrest after she allegedly set her family home on fire on Nov. 20.

According to The Korea Herald, local police said that the incident occurred at around 10:52 pm (South Korea time) at a residential block in the northern city of Gwangju.

The girl has started the blaze after she was reportedly upset that her parents did not want to upgrade her phone, reported Chosun Biz.

Burned house after parents did not want to upgrade her phone

The girl had allegedly set fire to a small blanket in her room using a lighter.

During questioning, the teen allegedly told officers she had done so in retaliation after her parents refused to let her switch to a phone model that would allow her to use social media.

Firefighters brought the fire under control in roughly 20 minutes, but the unit's household items were completely destroyed.

Local authorities said 17 residents were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

Court denies arrest warrant

Gwangju police previously issued an arrest warrant against the girl.

However, the Gwangju District Court denied the warrant, noting that the teen falls under the Juvenile Act as "a juvenile under 19".

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