South Korea: Coupang logistics center fire burns for 3 days, schools close, residents evacuate

A massive fire at an 8-story e-commerce logistics center operated by Coupang in Incheon, South Korea, has raged for three consecutive days. Firefighters continue to battle the blaze, which started early on July 18th and remains unextinguished as of July 20th.

The prolonged fire has forced the closure of Incheon Sinseok Elementary School, which was scheduled to begin its summer vacation after a single class on July 21st. Additionally, 14 out of 31 daycare centers in the Seohae district were advised to close, and 14 have complied. Residents living in areas deemed at risk due to the fire have been evacuated.

Authorities have designated two schools, Sinhyun National Elementary School and Sinhyun North Elementary School, as temporary shelters for evacuees. As of late July 19th, 168 people were housed in these shelters. Plans are in place to use Sinhyun Girls' Middle School as an additional shelter if further evacuation orders are issued, driven by concerns that the logistics center could collapse and impact nearby residential areas.

The situation remains critical as firefighters work to contain the fire, with the structural integrity of the building being a primary concern for public safety in the surrounding community.