Fire at Incheon Coupang logistics center spreads to the 7th floor; evacuation order issued for residents at 11 p.m. yesterday

[Financial News, Incheon = Reporter Han Gap-su] As the fire at Coupang's logistics center in Seohae District, Incheon, entered its third day, the blaze has spread to the 7th floor as thick smoke and stacked household goods have made it difficult to enter the building. To prepare for a possible collapse, Seohae District issued an evacuation order for nearby residents at 11 p.m. on the 19th.
According to the Incheon Fire Headquarters and Seohae District on the 20th, the district issued an evacuation order at 11 p.m. on the 19th for an area within a 116-meter radius of the logistics center.
The move came as the temperature inside the building reached as high as 200 to 300 degrees Celsius, while crews used excavators to break apart the logistics center and spray water, raising concerns that the structure could collapse as firefighting efforts dragged on.
Seohae District sent disaster alert messages telling workers at shops and offices within 116 meters of the logistics center to evacuate, and officials went door to door to help merchants leave the area. Temporary shelters have been set up at Sinhyeon Elementary School and Sinhyeonbuk Elementary School.
The fire started on the 6th floor at around 6:54 a.m. on the 18th and had still not been extinguished 52 hours later as of 11 a.m. on the 20th.
Fire authorities had initially expected to bring the blaze under control by 11 p.m. on the 19th. However, firefighting was delayed because stacked household goods and thick smoke made visibility poor and prevented crews from entering the building. The fire is now spreading inside the 6th floor and to the 7th floor.
Fire authorities are continuing the operation with 231 pieces of equipment and 812 personnel, including firefighters.
[email protected] Han Gap-su Reporter