The fire at the Coupang logistics center in Incheon faced significant challenges due to compromised fire barriers, which were rendered ineffective by intense flames.
On July 21, the Incheon Fire Department reported in a briefing that "the large amount of combustible materials stored in the warehouse resulted in a high fire load and intense radiant heat, causing the fire shutters to melt." They added, "The failure of the fire barriers severely hindered efforts to contain the fire to the affected area and prevent it from spreading to surrounding zones."
They further explained, "With a ceiling height of 10 meters, it was difficult for firefighting water to penetrate the upper parts of the combustible materials, and the fire on the 6th and 7th floors weakened the water supply capabilities from the ground. Additionally, the need for a large volume of firefighting water for concentrated efforts on the upper floors posed another challenge."
The fire broke out at 6:54 a.m. on July 18 at the Coupang Logistics Center No. 32 in Seongnam-dong, Incheon. Fire authorities struggled to extinguish the blaze due to the large quantities of flammable materials stored inside and the complex building structure. After 61 hours, they managed to bring the major flames under control by 8 p.m. the previous day and are currently addressing remaining hotspots.
An official from the Incheon Fire Department stated, "There is a risk of partial collapse and falling debris from the ceilings on the 6th and 7th floors of the building, necessitating a safe distance. Vehicle movement will also be restricted until the overall structural safety of the building is confirmed."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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