Incheon Coupang fire joint inspection begins, focusing on origin and cause

South Korean authorities have launched a joint investigation into the cause of a massive fire that engulfed a Coupang logistics center in Incheon. A team comprising over 40 experts from the fire department, police, and the National Forensic Service commenced their on-site inspection on May 28th, six days after the blaze was finally extinguished. The inspection's primary goal is to pinpoint the fire's origin and identify the specific cause, with investigators focusing on the 6th floor of the 32-logistics center. Initial reports suggest the fire began among stored goods on a mezzanine level on the 6th floor. Investigators will meticulously examine potential ignition sources, including electrical factors and flammable materials, in the area believed to be the origin. They will also analyze how the fire rapidly spread throughout the 6th floor and reached the 7th floor. The fire, which broke out on May 18th, raged for more than 109 hours, requiring the mobilization of national firefighting resources. While two firefighters received medical treatment for smoke inhalation and exhaustion, no other casualties were reported despite the scale of the incident. The city of Incheon plans to grant a special day off to firefighters in recognition of their efforts. Police are also conducting separate interviews with Coupang officials regarding initial responses and facility management, and are seeking CCTV footage of the incident.