Mega-Sized Logistics Centers... Growing Number of Robots Increases Major Accident Risks

Firefighters Unable to Enter Sixth Floor, Forced to Fight Blaze from Outside
Robot Relocation Impossible Due to Loss of Wireless Control Network
Lithium-Ion Battery Explosion Raises Concern over Major Accidents

Firefighting personnel are conducting extinguishing operations using external aerial vehicles on the 21st due to a fire at the Coupang Logistics Center in Seoknam-dong, Seohae-gu, Incheon. Photo by Yonhap News.

The fire at the Coupang logistics center in Incheon has highlighted the urgent need to improve safety management at mega-sized logistics warehouses. With logistics automation and unmanned operations on the rise, logistics robots powered by lithium-ion batteries are now being pointed out as a new risk factor capable of causing large-scale accidents.

According to firefighting authorities on July 22, as of the fifth day since the outbreak of the fire at the Coupang 32 Logistics Center in Seoknam-dong, Seohae-gu, Incheon, firefighters still had not entered the sixth floor where the fire originally started, and continued to use external aerial vehicles to spray water from outside the building.

An official from the Incheon Fire Department stated, “Firefighters have not entered the sixth floor due to safety concerns such as residual heat and thick smoke,” adding, “We are still reviewing various factors to determine whether and when to enter.” The floor area of a single floor is nearly four times the size of a soccer field, and because it features a three-story rack system and mezzanine structure with densely stored goods, it is expected to take a prolonged period before the fire is completely extinguished.

Growing Size of Logistics Centers... "Initial Response Is Critical"

With the growth of the online shopping market, more mega-sized logistics centers have been established in recent years to enhance delivery efficiency. Coupang is known to be operating more than 100 large-scale fulfillment centers across about 30 cities nationwide as core hubs.

The problem, however, is that on-site safety management has not strengthened in line with the increasing size of these logistics centers. According to the "2025 Annual Fire Statistics Report" published by the National Fire Agency, there have been a total of 20 major fires at logistics centers in the past five years from 2021 to last year. These incidents have resulted in five deaths, seven injuries, and total property damage of 1 trillion won.

The National Fire Agency strengthened fire safety standards for large logistics centers in 2024, but seven out of ten logistics centers nationwide were built before these stricter standards were implemented and are not subject to the new regulations.

In particular, because large logistics centers store vast quantities of goods and have extensive floor space, fires can take hours to put out and the scale of damage can be considerable. Many centers are constructed using sandwich panels, which are susceptible to fire, allowing smoke and heat to spread rapidly and increasing overall risk.

Lee Youngjoo, Professor of Fire and Disaster Protection at the University of Seoul, stated, “Initial response is of utmost importance in logistics center fires. If on-site personnel respond quickly and appropriately, it can prevent a small fire from escalating into a major disaster.” He added, “There needs to be architectural and facility improvements to make it possible for firefighters to enter the building, and fire departments must continuously develop tactics and entry methods suited to the unique characteristics of logistics warehouses.”

The "sorting robots" used in Coupang logistics centers. These sorting robots scan the address on the shipping label and sort the products by region. Coupang website

Risks of 'Logistics Robots' with Lithium Batteries Highlighted

If the fire had broken out on the fourth or fifth floors—where large numbers of logistics robots were located—it could have led to a large-scale accident, and it is highly likely the fire would have been far more difficult to contain. Fire authorities explained that in the initial stage of the recent logistics center fire in Incheon, they attempted to move the robots, but both the large robots (about 300kg each) and small robots (about 50kg each) lost wireless communication control, and due to the rack structure, it was impossible to transport them using forklifts.

With lithium-ion battery fires, thermal runaway can continue within the battery even after visible flames appear to be out. If the internal reactions are not completely stopped, the fire can re-ignite repeatedly. In 2024, the "Aricell tragedy," which claimed 24 lives at a battery manufacturing plant, as well as the electric vehicle fire in the basement parking lot in Cheongna, Incheon, were both caused by lithium battery explosions.

In the logistics industry, robots are being actively introduced as interest grows in improving working conditions—driven by rising labor costs and laws such as the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. If lithium-ion batteries installed in mobile logistics robots are exposed to high temperatures, they can explode and release hazardous materials, potentially leading to major industrial accidents.

Experts unanimously stress that as automation and unmanned operations expand at logistics sites, safety and management capabilities must be simultaneously strengthened. Lee Deokhwan, Professor Emeritus at Sogang University, stated, “This incident shows that in the era of physical artificial intelligence (AI), battery fires have become a new risk factor." He emphasized, "Mobile robots used in manufacturing sites are all equipped with lithium-ion batteries, so not only battery factories but also workplaces where they are used require meticulous management.”

Gong Haseong, Professor of Fire and Disaster Protection at Woosuk University, stated, "High-risk materials such as lithium-ion batteries should be stored in separate fireproof compartments, and charging facilities should also be managed in independent spaces."

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