Incheon Logistics Center Fire 'Expected to Be Prolonged'...All-Out Effort to Prevent Lithium Battery Blaze (Comprehensive)

Fire Authorities Focus on Preventing Spread to Fifth Floor
"Battery Capacity Equivalent to 20 Electric Cars"
Support Units Dispatched From Other Regions... Considering Adjustments to Response Level

The fire at Coupang's logistics center in Incheon, which has been ongoing for more than 55 hours, is expected to take a considerable amount of additional time to fully extinguish. Of particular concern, hundreds of warehouse robots equipped with lithium batteries are located on the fifth floor, prompting fire authorities to focus intensely on preventing the fire from spreading to that area. As significant numbers of firefighting support resources have been mobilized from other cities and provinces, concerns have been raised about potential decreases in disaster response capacity in those regions. The fire authorities are currently reviewing the situation on-site and considering adjustments to response levels.

On the 20th, firefighters are extinguishing a fire at the Coupang 32 Logistics Center in Seohae District, Incheon, where the fire has continued for three days. This logistics center caught fire on the 6th floor at 6:54 a.m. on the 18th and has not been put out for over 50 hours. July 20, 2026 Photo by Kang Jinhyung

"Full Extinguishment Expected to Take Time...Decision May Be Made Tonight"

Heo Seokkyung, head of the West Incheon Fire Station, stated at a fire briefing on the afternoon of the 20th, "It has been approximately 55 hours since firefighting operations began after the fire broke out at the Coupang logistics center," and explained, "Fire authorities are still maintaining Response Level 2 and the National Fire Mobilization Order, bringing together nationwide firefighting capacity for a holistic national response."

Currently, a total of 812 personnel have been deployed, including 474 firefighters, 299 police officers, and 39 staff from related agencies, along with 231 pieces of equipment. High-altitude ladder trucks, water tanks, and support vehicles and personnel from other regions, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Daejeon, Sejong, Gangwon, Chungcheong, and Jeonbuk, have arrived on the scene.

According to initial investigations, the fire first broke out on the right side (Building B) of the sixth floor, based on the vehicle ramp location, on the 18th and then spread to the seventh floor. The fire later expanded further to the left side of the sixth floor (Building A) and the seventh floor.

The logistics center has a total area of 299,308 square meters, with one basement level and eight aboveground floors. The sixth floor, where the fire started, has a floor area of 28,329 square meters, approximately four times the size of a soccer field. Because of the building’s immense size and the large amounts of flammable materials such as household goods stored inside, high temperatures and toxic smoke are making the firefighting operations challenging.

On the 20th, firefighters are extinguishing the fire at the Coupang 32 Logistics Center in Seohae-gu, Incheon, where the fire has continued for three days. This logistics center caught fire on the 6th floor at 6:54 a.m. on the 18th and has not been extinguished for over 50 hours. July 20, 2026. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

Especially concerning is the fact that there are hundreds of logistics robots using lithium batteries stationed on the fifth floor. If the fire had spread to that area, there was a risk of the blaze growing throughout the entire building. The total amount of lithium batteries in these logistics robots is reportedly equivalent to about 20 large batteries typically used in electric cars produced in Korea. Fire authorities have reported that their entry into the building has prevented the fire from spreading to the fifth floor.

Station Chief Heo said, "We are mobilizing all available firefighting forces to focus on preventing the spread of flames to the fifth floor," but added, "Given the size of the logistics center and the large amount of flammable material, we expect it will take a long time until the fire is fully extinguished." He continued, "We have deployed 31 special vehicles, including high-altitude trucks, around the building to stem the flames as much as possible." He also stated, "By using thermal imaging drones to monitor heat accumulation in real time, we are dispatching equipment to areas with intense burning to focus on preventing the fire from spreading to lower floors."

With firefighting operations dragging on for an extended period, outside firefighting personnel continue to be called in from other regions, raising the possibility that response capacity in some areas may be impacted. To address this, the firefighting authorities are comprehensively reviewing the on-site situation and nationwide firefighting resource allocation, and are examining whether to adjust the response stages. Chief Heo said, "Ideally, we'd like to come to some kind of decision by tonight, but whether that's possible will be determined in a situational assessment meeting," indicating that changes to the response stage or firefighting operations system are being considered.

Low Risk of Building Collapse...169 People Staying in Temporary Shelters

Authorities reviewed the risk of building collapse in collaboration with private engineers and safety experts, and concluded the risk was low, so firefighting operations continue. To prepare for any contingency, however, three main areas of the building have been equipped with collapse alarms that will immediately sound if any signs of collapse are detected.

An official from the Korea Structural Engineers Association stated, "Since the fire authority's cooling operations have led to the exhaustion of much of the heat sources and combustible material at the heart of the fire, we believe the risk of collapse due to fire has greatly decreased," adding that "the probability of collapse is gradually approaching zero."

Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (second from the left), visited the Coupang logistics center site in Seoknam-dong, Seohae-gu, Incheon, where the fire has continued for three days on the 20th. After receiving a briefing from the fire officials, he responded to reporters' questions. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

It was confirmed that the sprinklers were activated during the fire, but whether they operated properly at the optimal time will be determined through a joint inspection after the fire is completely extinguished.

The precise cause of the fire will be investigated after the blaze is fully put out, through a joint investigation team involving the National Fire Agency, the National Fire Research Institute, and Korea Electrical Safety Corporation. To date, two firefighters have been injured—one has been discharged from the hospital, and the other remains hospitalized with breathing difficulties.

According to Seohae-gu, as of the afternoon of the 20th, two temporary evacuation shelters, Sinhyeon Elementary School and Sinhyeonbuk Elementary School, have been set up, accommodating a total of 169 evacuees. A nearby middle school has also been prepared as a standby shelter, but no additional evacuees have relocated there so far. There have been no confirmed reports of resident damage such as power or water outages. Closure was recommended for 31 nearby daycare centers, with 14 deciding to close.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung visited the fire scene and the evacuation centers on the same day to assess the situation and offer support to affected residents. Minister Yoon relayed the president's directive to "do everything possible to extinguish the fire and prevent greater damage, but ensure a thorough guarantee of on-site crew safety," and called on all relevant agencies to maintain seamless cooperation.

He also instructed that all available equipment and resources required for firefighting be fully and promptly provided, and emphasized that operations must be carried out with strict protective measures to prevent exposure of crews to hazards.

At the evacuation centers, he urged Incheon city and Seohae district officials in charge to ensure, in a meticulous manner, that relief and meal supplies are provided to residents so that no issues arise until everyone can safely return to daily life.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.