South Korean authorities ordered the evacuation of residents and businesses near a Coupang logistics center in Incheon after a fire burned for over 40 hours [1].
The order follows warnings that the building may suffer a structural collapse, posing a direct threat to the surrounding industrial and commercial district.
The fire began at approximately 6:50 a.m. on July 18 [1] at the facility located in Seoknam-dong, Seohae-gu. Officials said the blaze was concentrated on the sixth floor of the center [1].
Emergency alerts were issued to the public as the fire intensified after nightfall. The Incheon Seohae-gu fire department and local authorities directed all people within a 116-meter radius to evacuate to safety [1]. This evacuation zone specifically includes shops, factories, and offices located to the south of the Coupang facility [1].
Firefighting efforts have faced significant challenges. While officials initially expected to complete the primary fire suppression by 11 p.m. on the night of July 18, the flames on the sixth floor intensified, preventing crews from meeting that target [1].
Local residents and business owners were notified via disaster safety text messages regarding the risk of partial building collapse [1]. The situation remains critical as crews continue to battle the blaze in the massive logistics hub.
“The fire burned for over 40 hours”
The prolonged duration of the fire and the resulting evacuation order highlight the extreme difficulty of suppressing blazes in modern high-density logistics centers. The risk of structural collapse suggests that the heat has compromised the building's integrity, which may lead to extended operational disruptions for Coupang's regional supply chain and potential long-term safety reviews for similar industrial facilities in Incheon.
