A major fire that broke out at a logistics center in Incheon belonging to South Korean e-commerce company Coupang was brought under control after more than 61 hours of firefighting efforts. The Incheon Fire Department announced that the fire, which started on Saturday, was largely extinguished at around 8:00 p.m. on Monday. Crews were reported to be continuing work on remaining hot spots at the facility.
121 Employees Evacuated from Coupang Warehouse
The fire started at 6:54 a.m. on Saturday at the eight-story Coupang logistics center in Incheon’s Seohae district. All 121 employees inside the facility, which has an enclosed area of approximately 299,000 square meters, were safely evacuated.
Due to the risk of the building collapsing, an evacuation order was also issued for nearby residents. Approximately 200 local residents were placed in temporary shelters. Two firefighters who suffered from smoke inhalation and exhaustion during the response were taken to hospital.
845 Personnel Took Part in the Response
As the fire grew, the emergency response level was first raised to Level 1 and then to Level 2. A nationwide mobilization order was issued, enabling firefighters and equipment to be dispatched from eight neighboring cities and regions.
A total of 845 personnel, 239 fire engines, and various types of response equipment took part in the uninterrupted operation, which continued for three days. The large quantity of combustible materials stored in the warehouse and the building’s complex structure made it difficult to bring the flames under control. Authorities installed three structural monitoring devices in the building to track the possibility of collapse.
Cause of the Fire to Be Investigated
After the fire was brought under control, police, fire officials, and relevant institutions began preparations for a joint investigation. The inspection team will include representatives from the Incheon Fire Department, the National Forensic Service, the police forensic unit, and the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation.
Once it is safe to enter the building, teams will inspect the sixth floor of Block B, where the fire is believed to have started. CCTV footage and fire alarm system records will also be collected as evidence.
Incheon police have also established a special task force to investigate the fire. The investigation will examine the cause of the blaze, the facility’s electrical infrastructure, and its safety systems.