Coupang Incheon logistics center fire continues into third day

A fire broke out on July 18 at 06:54 a.m. on the sixth floor of Coupang’s No. 32 logistics centre in Seo‑gu, Incheon, South Korea. The blaze quickly spread to the seventh floor and, hampered by the facility’s large inventory of flammable household goods and a complex rack‑filled structure, remained uncontrolled for more than 50 hours, entering a third day on July 20.

South Korean authorities issued a national fire‑mobilisation order, deploying roughly 800 firefighters, over 200 fire‑fighting vehicles and specialised aerial ladders and helicopters from eight neighbouring provinces. Excavators were used to break up parts of the building to vent smoke and create access for water streams. Residents and workers within a 116‑metre radius of the warehouse’s ramp were ordered to evacuate; nearby schools and childcare centres were closed and temporary shelters at two elementary schools housed about 150‑170 people.

No fatalities have been reported, but two firefighters required hospital treatment for smoke inhalation and exhaustion. Officials warned of a possible structural collapse and the President called for all available resources to be directed at extinguishing the fire and investigating its cause after it is fully extinguished.