Massive Coupang Fire Rages for 40+ Hours, Prompts Evacuations

A major fire at Coupang's logistics center in Incheon, South Korea, continued to burn for over 40 hours, forcing authorities to issue an evacuation order for residents within a 116-meter radius due to concerns about the building's structural integrity. The blaze, which began early on June 18, spread rapidly through the facility, which was filled with flammable household goods stacked on multi-level shelves.

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The ramp area structure is at risk of collapse due to the fire.

Despite the deployment of a national-level fire response, involving hundreds of personnel and equipment, firefighters struggled to contain the inferno. The sheer volume of combustible materials and the complex, multi-tiered structure of the warehouse made interior access and firefighting extremely challenging. The fire's intensity also raised fears of a potential collapse of the ramp structure, leading to the evacuation order for nearby businesses and residences.

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It is difficult to enter the building to extinguish the fire because the heat is strong and the smoke is thick due to the 3-tier shelf structure and the accumulation of flammable household goods.

Fortunately, all 121 employees working at the time of the fire evacuated safely. However, two firefighters were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and exhaustion. The prolonged fire blanketed surrounding areas with thick black smoke and ash, impacting air quality and forcing local schools to close. Questions are being raised about the adequacy of the warehouse's fire suppression systems, including sprinklers, and the overall fire safety protocols for such large-scale logistics facilities, especially in light of a similar fatal incident at another Coupang center in 2021.

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We will actively cooperate with the investigation by the relevant authorities.