Firefighters were ordered to evacuate a Coupang logistics center in Incheon, South Korea, after signs of structural collapse emerged during a massive blaze.
The emergency withdrawal marks a critical turn in the disaster, as the risk of a total building collapse now outweighs the ability of crews to combat the fire from within.
The fire broke out at the Seoknam-dong facility around 6:55 a.m. on July 19 [1]. By the time officials issued the emergency evacuation order at 6:50 a.m. the following morning, the blaze had been burning for between 24 and 26 hours [1], [2].
Fire department officials reported that a radio directive was issued for all personnel to exit the premises immediately. One official said, "A risk of building collapse has been detected."
The prolonged nature of the fire is believed to be the primary cause of the instability. A spokesperson for the Incheon Fire Headquarters said the building's exterior walls and ceiling structures may have weakened due to the extended exposure to high heat, and the use of large volumes of water [1], [3].
Coupang, one of South Korea's largest e-commerce companies, operates the facility in the Seoknam-dong district. The decision to pull crews out reflects the extreme danger posed by the compromised integrity of the warehouse's industrial frame—a common challenge in large-scale logistics fires where heavy materials and high ceilings can trap heat.
Emergency services continue to monitor the site from a safe distance to prevent further casualties among first responders while the interior continues to burn [1], [3].
“A risk of building collapse has been detected.”
The evacuation highlights the inherent volatility of modern logistics hubs, where the combination of massive open-floor plans and heavy fire-suppression water loads can paradoxically accelerate structural failure. For Coupang, the potential loss of a major distribution node in Incheon may cause short-term regional delivery disruptions and trigger a regulatory review of fire safety standards for high-volume warehouses.
