Collapse Risk at Incheon Coupang Logistics Center... Fire Still Not Extinguished After More Than 47 Hours

[Financial News] A major fire at a Coupang logistics center in Seoknam-dong, Seohae District, Incheon, has not been extinguished for the third day, putting the building at risk of collapse. Fire authorities are making every effort to bring the blaze under control, but the fire remains difficult to contain because of combustible materials inside and the complex structure of the facility.
According to the Incheon Fire Headquarters on the 20th, the fire that broke out at around 6:54 a.m. on the 18th on the sixth floor of the Coupang logistics center in Seoknam-dong, Seohae District, Incheon, was still burning more than 47 hours later as of 6 a.m. that day.
Fire officials had initially expected to bring the blaze under control around 11 p.m. on the 19th, the second day of the fire, but they reportedly faced difficulties because the center stored a large amount of combustible material and its internal layout was complicated.
The fire authorities have kept the National Fire Mobilization Order in place, which was issued on the afternoon of the 18th, and are continuing firefighting operations with more than 230 pieces of equipment and about 810 personnel, including firefighters.
On the previous day, crews carried out demolition work at the connection point between the ramp area and the sixth floor to vent smoke from inside the logistics center and secure space to spray water. High-reach and articulated ladder trucks were also deployed to prevent the flames from spreading to the nearby SK Incheon Petrochem.
As the fire showed little sign of being brought under control, Seohae District held an emergency situation assessment meeting and issued a preemptive evacuation order at 11 p.m. the previous day for an area within a 116-meter radius of the ramp section of the logistics center. The evacuation order was limited to shops and factories south of Coupang, while residential areas and police officers and firefighters working at the scene were excluded.
It was confirmed that 168 people from 89 households were staying at two elementary schools designated as temporary shelters. They were not subject to the evacuation order, but were said to have evacuated voluntarily out of concern over smoke and dust damage.
Seohae District also recommended that 31 daycare centers and nearby elementary schools close for the day.
A fire official said, "It is raining at the scene, but the rain is unlikely to reach the inside of the logistics center, so it is not helping much with firefighting," adding, "We are responding while reviewing safety at the site from multiple angles."
[email protected] Sung Min-seo Reporter