South Korean fire authorities brought a large fire at the Coupang logistics center in Incheon under control after 61 hours [1].
The incident highlights the extreme volatility of modern automated warehouses, where the concentration of high-capacity batteries can turn a localized fire into a prolonged industrial disaster.
The blaze began at approximately 6:50 a.m. on July 18, 2026 [2]. Firefighters battled the flames for more than two days before the fire was declared largely extinguished around 8 p.m. on July 21, 2026 [2]. Following the containment of the main blaze, authorities lifted the evacuation order that had been issued for the surrounding area [1].
Emergency responders faced significant challenges due to the facility's layout and equipment. The fire spread rapidly because hundreds of lithium-battery-powered logistics robots were stationed on the floor directly below the blaze [3]. These robots created a high risk of secondary battery fires and potential structural collapse [3].
Experts noted the sheer volume of energy stored in the facility's automation systems. The battery capacity of the robots on that specific floor was estimated to be equivalent to 20 electric cars [3].
Reporters on the scene described the extent of the devastation. "The upper part of the building has burned black, and the walls are so scorched that the inside is clearly visible," Song Su-hyun said [4].
Local authorities and Coupang officials continue to monitor the site to prevent reignition. While the evacuation order is now lifted [1], the investigation into the exact cause of the ignition remains ongoing.
“The fire spread rapidly because hundreds of lithium-battery-powered logistics robots were stationed on the floor directly below the blaze.”
This incident underscores a growing safety challenge in the global logistics industry: the 'thermal runaway' risk associated with massive fleets of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). When hundreds of lithium batteries are concentrated in a single zone, they can create a self-sustaining fire that is nearly impossible to extinguish with traditional water-based methods, necessitating longer containment windows and wider evacuation zones.
