Key facts
- A large fire at a Coupang warehouse in Incheon was brought under initial control on Monday.
- The fire began 61 hours prior to being controlled.
- Hundreds of residents were evacuated from areas near the warehouse.
- Local schools and daycare centers were closed due to the fire.
- Firefighting efforts were hampered by the building's structure and flammable materials.
A massive blaze at a Coupang warehouse in Incheon, South Korea, was brought under initial control on Monday, 61 hours after it broke out. The fire, which began on Saturday, forced the evacuation of hundreds of nearby residents and led to the closure of local schools and daycare centers.
The Incheon firefighting headquarters declared the fire under initial control at 8 p.m. Monday. A total of 812 firefighters and 231 pieces of equipment were mobilized to combat the blaze. Firefighting efforts were challenged by the complex structure of the building and the large quantities of flammable materials stored inside.
Authorities made progress on Monday, with rainfall assisting the firefighters. The local government issued an evacuation order late Sunday for areas within 116 meters of the warehouse's ramp zone, leading 178 people to take shelter at nearby schools. Daycare centers and elementary schools in the vicinity were advised to close on Monday, resulting in the closure of one elementary school and 14 daycare centers.