Warehouse fire inferno grips South Korea for more than two days
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SEOUL — A massive fire at Coupang’s No. 32 logistics centre in Incheon, South Korea, has burned for more than 52 hours, forcing large‑scale evacuations and raising fears that parts of the eight‑storey building could collapse.
Fire breaks out on upper floors and spreads
The fire started around 6:54 a.m. on Saturday on the warehouse’s sixth floor before spreading to the seventh, according to fire authorities. The facility stores large volumes of highly flammable goods — including household products, paper boxes, and vinyl packaging — which intensified the fire and complicated suppression efforts.
Despite steady rainfall helping crews gain partial control, smoke continued to rise from the structure well into Monday, with dozens of fire trucks still on site. CCTV footage showed persistent flames and heavy smoke as firefighters worked around the clock.
Evacuations amid collapse concerns
Late Sunday, authorities ordered shops and factories within 116 metres of the warehouse’s ramp area to evacuate due to the risk of a partial structural collapse. The order sent 178 people to temporary shelters in nearby schools.
In total, 812 firefighters and 231 pieces of equipment have been deployed — one of the largest recent firefighting mobilizations in the Seoul metropolitan area.
Workers evacuated; investigation pending
All workers inside the building were safely evacuated, Coupang confirmed. The company has not yet disclosed the expected operational or financial impact. An investigation into the cause will begin once the fire is fully extinguished.
A massive facility at the heart of Coupang’s fast‑delivery network
The Incheon fulfilment centre spans 299,000 square metres — roughly 42 football fields — and is one of more than 100 logistics hubs Coupang operates across South Korea. The warehouse stores goods purchased directly for the company’s fast‑delivery service.
Jeong Jong‑cheol, head of Coupang Fulfilment Services, issued a public apology and pledged cooperation with authorities and support for affected residents.
Further Reading:
https://www.asiaone.com/asia/south-korea-coupang-warehouse-fire-burns-over-52-hours?