[Anchor]
The fire at the Coupang logistics center in Incheon has been contained after 61 hours. We will connect with our reporter on the scene.
Reporter Cho Min-ki, looking behind you, it seems there is still some smoke rising, isn't there?
[Reporter]
Fire authorities announced that they brought the main blaze at this logistics center under control around 8:00 p.m. yesterday (July 20).
This comes 61 hours after the fire first broke out.
However, as you can see behind me, thin white smoke is still emerging from the upper levels of the blackened logistics center building.
The reason it took such a long time to contain the fire is due to the structure of the building.
The so-called mezzanine structure, where one floor is divided into two or three levels to store more goods, caused the flames to spread more rapidly and made it difficult for firefighters to enter.
Fire authorities are maintaining the national firefighting mobilization order as a precaution while they work to extinguish the remaining embers.
Once the fire is completely extinguished, relevant agencies, including the fire department and the National Forensic Service, plan to conduct a joint investigation.
[Anchor]
The evacuation order for residents was also lifted overnight, right?
[Reporter]
The evacuation order issued for the area near the logistics center was lifted as of 11:00 p.m. last night.
This is because the risk of building collapse has decreased now that the major fire has been contained.
Previously, Seo-gu, Incheon, had issued an evacuation order for the area within a 116-meter radius of the building on the night of July 19.
They determined that if parts of the logistics center building were to collapse, debris could reach up to a 116-meter radius.
About 30 tents were set up at a temporary shelter provided in the gymnasium of a nearby elementary school, and relief supplies from the local government were also provided.
Currently, around 200 residents are staying at the shelter, complaining of damage from smoke and dust.
Now that the evacuation order has been lifted, the residents plan to return home naturally as the day breaks.
Reported by Yang Ji-hoon | Video by Park Ji-in | Graphics by Choi Jae-young and Kim Ye-ji
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.