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🇰🇷 South Korea /Disasters & Emergencies

Initial 'No Spread' assessment quickly reversed as Coupang fire raged

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Documents & data Outcome reported
  • Firefighters initially assessed a Coupang logistics center fire as having no risk of spreading, but the situation rapidly escalated within 30 minutes.
  • There were discrepancies in reporting the presence of workers inside the center, with initial reports stating none were present, while later information indicated workers were on the 7th and 8th floors.
  • A firefighter was temporarily trapped on the 6th floor due to the rapid spread of the fire, highlighting critical issues in initial assessment and response coordination.

Initial assessments by fire authorities indicated no immediate risk of fire spread at the Coupang logistics center in Incheon, but the situation dramatically worsened within half an hour. Reports obtained by Hankyoreh reveal that while the fire was first spotted on the 6th floor around 10:10 AM on July 18th, fire officials repeatedly communicated over radio that there was no concern for "additional spread of fire."

No additional spread of fire.

— West Fire CommandInitial radio transmission indicating no immediate concern for fire escalation.

Around 7:19 AM, the West Fire Command reported "low risk of fire spread." Shortly after, at 7:32 AM, the safety team stated, "No concerns about fire spread to upper floors." Even the command chief, at 8:06 AM, transmitted, "No risk of fire spread." This assessment led to plans for "aggressive suppression" after ventilation.

The situation changed significantly by 10:47 AM when the West Fire Command reported "a large amount of smoke on the 7th floor" and the need to "open doors." However, even at 10:49 AM, the safety team was still discussing "setting up a break area on the 6th floor for field activities," indicating a lack of timely information sharing.

No concerns about fire spread to upper floors.

— West Fire Command Safety TeamFurther assessment downplaying the risk of the fire spreading upwards.

The severity of the incident became apparent after 11:00 AM. At 11:08 AM, the West Command ordered all personnel to evacuate. By 11:27 AM, firefighters on the 7th floor were instructed to move to the 5th. The situation room relayed instructions for "thoroughly wearing personal protective equipment due to rapid fire spread" and "preventing safety accidents such as isolation of personnel in internal compartments."

7th floor filled with a lot of smoke. Need to open doors.

— West Fire CommandA later transmission acknowledging the significant smoke buildup on the 7th floor.

Critically, Coupang reportedly misinformed fire authorities about the presence of workers. Around 7:10 AM, radio transmissions indicated "no personnel inside confirmed by relevant parties." However, just ten minutes later, at 7:20 AM, field reports mentioned "personnel evacuation and access route securing on the 7th floor," and by 7:29 AM, "guiding restaurant workers on the 8th floor to evacuate and shutting off gas equipment." Eight workers were present on the 8th floor, and their evacuation continued until around 7:40 AM.

No personnel inside confirmed by relevant parties.

— West Fire CommandEarly report to fire authorities suggesting the logistics center was empty of workers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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