INCHEON — A large fire broke out at a logistics center in Gyeongseo-dong in Incheon's Seohae District, prompting fire authorities to raise their alert to a Level 2 response and mount an all-out effort to extinguish the blaze.
The fire started at about 2:44 p.m. on the 18th at the Say TNL Incheon Logistics Center near the Gyeongin Ara Waterway in Gyeongseo-dong, Seohae District, according to the Incheon Fire Headquarters.
Authorities issued a Level 1 response, which mobilizes all personnel from the district fire station, at 3:21 p.m., 37 minutes after the fire began. As concerns mounted that the flames would spread through combustible materials inside the building, they raised it to a Level 2 response, which draws personnel and equipment from neighboring fire stations, at about 6:25 p.m., roughly three hours and 40 minutes later.
No injuries have been confirmed so far. When the fire broke out, 34 people inside the logistics center, including staff, evacuated on their own.
The fire is believed to have started in an outdoor box storage area at the two-story sandwich panel building, which has a total floor area of 7,975.9 square meters, before spreading to the main structure. Large quantities of furniture were stored on the first floor and cosmetics including hair dye on the second, generating thick smoke and toxic gases that have hampered firefighting efforts.
Authorities deployed 167 firefighters and other personnel along with 69 vehicles to the site. Crews are using excavators and other equipment to dismantle the sandwich panel exterior walls while concentrating water on the interior.
Immediately after the fire started, Seohae District sent an emergency text alert saying, "A large amount of smoke is being generated by the logistics center fire. Nearby vehicles should detour, and residents are asked to take care for their safety."
Authorities said they will investigate the exact cause of the fire and the extent of property damage once the flames are fully brought under control.
