Incheon Coupang Logistics Center Fire Continues for 29 Hours; Extinguishment Expected by 11 PM

Firefighters continue to battle a blaze at a Coupang logistics center in Incheon, South Korea, that has raged for over 29 hours. The fire, which started on the sixth floor of the eight-story building on June 18, had spread to the seventh floor by the morning of June 19.

Authorities estimate the fire will be largely extinguished by 11 p.m. on June 19, but acknowledge that full extinguishment could take considerably longer, depending on fire intensity and wind conditions. Firefighters temporarily evacuated the premises earlier due to the fire's intensity, a standard safety procedure, not an emergency evacuation. They are currently focusing external firefighting efforts on the affected floors while awaiting structural safety assessments.

“

This was not an emergency evacuation. It is a routine safety measure to temporarily withdraw our personnel when the fire situation changes.

While some structural damage, including exposed rebar from prolonged heat exposure, has been observed, experts do not currently believe the entire building is at risk of collapse. Sounds heard from the site were attributed to collapsing shelves or concrete "spalling" due to heat, not explosions. Firefighters have deployed large-volume water cannons and are using water from a nearby reservoir to combat the flames. No civilian casualties have been reported, as all 121 personnel evacuated safely. One firefighter received hospital treatment for smoke inhalation, and another was treated for exhaustion.

“

At this stage, the possibility of the entire building collapsing is low. However, as concrete has fallen off in some areas exposed to fire for a long time, revealing rebar, precise safety inspections and temporary support installation will be necessary after extinguishment.