Smoke rising into the sky [Provided by reader]

On the morning of the 18th, a thick, acrid smell of smoke permeated the area around the Coupang 32 Logistics Center in Seoknam-dong, Seo-hae-gu, Incheon, where a fire broke out. Repeated explosions could be heard from inside the facility.

The fire, which began on the 6th floor of the Coupang logistics center at 6:54 a.m., has been burning for over 13 hours with no signs of being extinguished.

To combat the flames, which spread up to the 7th floor along the building's exterior, firefighters broke windows to facilitate smoke extraction.

The black smoke billowing from the shattered windows covered the sky, remaining clearly visible even from two kilometers away.

A cafe owner near the logistics center said, "I've heard dozens of explosions since this morning," adding, "The smell is so strong that I have had to keep the windows closed while operating."

The building, an 8-story warehouse with a total floor area of 299,000 square meters, is structured with ramps that allow freight vehicles to access multiple levels.

Smoke rises as the fire that began on the 6th floor of the Coupang logistics center in Seoknam-dong, Seo-hae-gu, Incheon at 6:54 a.m. on the 18th continues into the afternoon. [Yonhap News]

Large quantities of flammable items, including household goods, are stored on the 6th and 7th floors, and it was noted that household goods were stacked on three-tier shelves on the 6th floor where the fire first broke out.

Additionally, because the floor-to-ceiling heights are greater than those in standard buildings, the fire covers a vast area, making it difficult to maintain visibility.

Vehicle traffic on the six-lane road in front of the logistics center has been completely blocked.

The road stretching from the SK Petrochemical three-way intersection to the intersection in front of the logistics center is densely packed with firefighting equipment, including pump trucks and aerial ladder trucks.

Exhausted by the long-duration firefighting efforts, some firefighters briefly stepped outside the building, loosened their fire-resistant jackets, drank water, and then headed back into the scene.

Near the controlled entrances, employees wearing green vests labeled 'Coupang' watched the situation unfold. They declined to answer questions from reporters, citing 'company policy.'

Next to the center is Sinseok Sports Park, which features soccer and basketball courts, and across the road, there is a dense cluster of factories, including automotive glass manufacturers. However, it has been determined that the fire has not spread to these nearby facilities so far.

The fire department issued a Level 1 emergency response at 9:15 a.m., followed by an escalation to Level 2 at 12:25 p.m. At 3:15 p.m., a national firefighting mobilization order was issued, and 480 personnel, including firefighters, along with 169 pieces of equipment, have been deployed to combat the blaze.

Following the advice of structural engineering experts, the fire department is focusing its efforts on firefighting operations utilizing the ramp areas on the sides of the building rather than forcing personnel inside.

Jeon Jae-in, head of the 119 Disaster Response Division at the Incheon Seo-bu Fire Station, stated during an on-site briefing, "Due to the persistent thick smoke and extreme heat inside, visibility is poor, making it difficult for firefighters to enter the structure." He added, "We are doing our utmost to prevent the fire from spreading by establishing containment lines at various points in the building and using excavators and forklifts to remove obstacles."

Jeon Jae-in, head of the 119 Disaster Response Division at the Incheon Seo-bu Fire Station, briefs the media at the fire site of the Coupang logistics center in Seoknam-dong, Seo-hae-gu, Incheon, on the afternoon of the 18th. The fire department has issued a national firefighting mobilization order to carry out suppression efforts. [Yonhap News]