SEOUL (DPA) - A South Korean man set his apartment on fire before stabbing fleeing residents with a knife, killing five people and injuring 13 others, local media reported on Wednesday (April 17).

The 42-year-old set fire to his apartment in the south-eastern city of Jinju before attacking residents as they attempted to flee the building, news agency Yonhap reported, citing local police.

Five people, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed in the building's stairwell, Yonhap added.

The man, who was arrested at the scene after a brief confrontation with police, reportedly said he "committed the crimes out of grievances about his overdue wages". The fire was extinguished 20 minutes later.