Massive Blaze at Coupang Logistics Center in Incheon Continues for Second Night

Fire authorities continued efforts for a second straight night Sunday to contain a massive blaze at a Coupang Corp. logistics center in Incheon, as the fire remained active more than 37 hours after it broke out.

The blaze, which started on the sixth floor of the facility in Incheon, just west of Seoul, at 6:54 a.m. Saturday, remained uncontained as of 8 p.m. Sunday, according to the Incheon Fire Headquarters.

The fire prompted the evacuation of 121 people inside the facility, including logistics workers.

Authorities issued a national firefighting mobilization order, mobilizing personnel and equipment from eight neighboring cities and provinces.

A total of 228 vehicles and 721 firefighters and police officers have been deployed to the scene, while helicopters and ladder trucks sprayed water from the air and ground, but they have so far been unable to bring the blaze under control.

Firefighters said poor visibility from thick smoke, along with large quantities of flammable objects stored inside the logistics center, have hampered their efforts.

On Sunday afternoon, authorities deployed two excavators and 18 firefighters to the logistics center's truck ramp to carry out demolition work aimed at venting smoke from the building and creating openings through which water could be directed.

Once the demolition work is complete, authorities will assess whether firefighters can safely enter the building through the newly created openings, officials said.

Fire authorities plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire once the blaze is extinguished.

Two firefighters were taken to a hospital after inhaling smoke and suffering exhaustion Saturday.

In 2021, a firefighter who went missing while battling the blaze at a Coupang distribution center in Icheon, about 50 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was found dead about 48 hours later.

Coupang issued a public apology for the fire and pledged full cooperation with authorities in the investigation.

"We sincerely apologize to the residents of Incheon and the people of Korea for causing concern," Coupang said in a statement. "We will prioritize the safety of firefighters above all else, provide full support for firefighting operations at the scene and actively cooperate with the relevant authorities' investigation."