Korean fire authorities brought a large fire at a Coupang logistics center in Incheon under control on Monday evening [1, 2].
The incident highlights the extreme difficulty of combating fires in high-density logistics hubs, where the presence of volatile materials can prolong emergency operations for days.
The blaze began at approximately 6:50 a.m. on July 18, 2026 [1]. For more than two days, emergency crews battled flames within the six-story facility located in Seoknam-dong [1, 2]. Authorities said that the main fire was brought under control around 8:00 p.m. on July 20, 2026 [1, 2].
Firefighters spent a total of 61 hours fighting the primary blaze [1]. While the large flames are now contained, officials said that full extinguishment will require more time because smaller hotspots continue to burn within the structure [1, 2].
Officials said that the fire posed a significant risk of spreading to the fifth floor of the building [1]. That specific level stores a large volume of lithium batteries, which are notoriously difficult to extinguish and can cause rapid fire intensification [1]. Fire crews managed to prevent the flames from reaching those batteries, avoiding a potentially more catastrophic escalation [1].
The cause of the fire has not yet been specified by the authorities [1]. Crews remain on site to monitor the building and ensure that remaining hotspots do not reignite into larger fires [1, 2].
“the large blaze was brought under control after 61 hours”
The prevention of the fire spreading to the fifth floor was critical, as lithium battery fires often lead to thermal runaway, making them nearly impossible to extinguish with standard methods. The 61-hour duration to contain the main blaze underscores the challenges of managing fires in modern, multi-story logistics centers where high ceilings and dense storage create complex ventilation and access issues for first responders.
