Local small business owners are warming hearts by offering free coffee to firefighters who continue to put out residual fires five days after a blaze broke out at the Coupang logistics center in Incheon.
The owner of a Mega MGC Coffee franchise located across the street from the Coupang logistics center in Seoknam-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon, has been providing free coffee and a resting space to firefighters since the 19th, the day after the fire occurred.
Signs attached to the store entrance read, "Firefighters, please come in and have a meal," and "Free coffee for firefighters."
It was reported that more than 100 firefighters received free coffee through yesterday (the 21st).
One firefighter who used the cafe said, "I didn't know the coffee was free," adding, "When I tried to pay, the owner just gave it to me. I was truly grateful, and it gave me a big boost."
The cafe owner stated, "It pained me to see them unable to have a proper meal for a long time at the site," and added, "I hope they drop by comfortably whenever they can and take a short break."
Meanwhile, another nearby military supplies manufacturer reportedly opened its parking lot to allow firefighters to hold meetings and park their vehicles, left lights on all night during the early stages of the fire, and prepaid for about 100 cups of coffee for the firefighters.
The representative of the manufacturing company said, "I wanted to express my small gratitude to the firefighters who risk their lives to protect our livelihood," and added, "I believe that when a major disaster occurs, we should not solely rely on firefighters, but the local community should pitch in together."
The fire, which first broke out at the Coupang logistics center in Seoknam-dong, Incheon, on the morning of the 18th, had its major flames contained around 8 PM on the 20th, but clearing the remaining embers is still taking time.
(Reported by Kim Taewon | Video by Choi Gang-san | Graphics by Lee Su-min | Produced by SBS Digital News)
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