President Lee Jae-myung has ordered an all-out effort to extinguish the fire at the Coupang logistics center in Incheon, instructing authorities to take every possible measure to prevent the damage from spreading.

President Lee received a report on the firefighting situation today (July 18) and ordered that the safety of the firefighters on the scene be prioritized above all else, according to Kang Yu-jeong, the Chief Spokesperson for the Blue House.

The fire broke out earlier today at approximately 6:54 a.m. on the 6th floor of the Coupang 32 Logistics Center in Seoknam-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon.

The fire authorities issued a Level 1 response at 9:15 a.m., two hours and 21 minutes after the fire began. They subsequently upgraded to a Level 2 response at approximately 12:25 p.m. and issued a national firefighting mobilization order at approximately 3:15 p.m. as they continue to battle the blaze.

At the time of the fire, 121 people, including logistics center staff, evacuated on their own. However, during the firefighting efforts, a firefighter in his 40s inhaled smoke and was transported to a hospital, where he is currently receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy.