Procedures are expected to be initiated to claim compensation for affected residents and to bill Coupang for the costs of managing and responding to the massive fire at its logistics center in Incheon.

According to Seohae-gu, Incheon, on July 21, the district plans to calculate the specific extent of damage to residents and the costs incurred for emergency response and recovery once the fire, which is currently in the stage of extinguishing remaining flames, is completely put out.

Seohae-gu has been operating temporary shelters for four days at nearby elementary schools after the fire at the Coupang No. 32 Logistics Center on July 18 caused a large amount of smoke.

As of 1:00 p.m. today, it was determined that 190 residents (123 households) were staying at temporary shelters set up at Sinhyun Elementary School and Sinhyunbuk Elementary School.

The number of residents who stayed at the shelters is expected to be higher when including those who have already returned to their homes.

Residents have reportedly sought medical treatment or received medication for symptoms such as throat pain, headaches, and nausea caused by smoke inhalation.

There have been 230 medical consultations and 58 psychological counseling sessions for issues such as anxiety.

Some residents have also reported property damage caused by dust and debris.

Small business owners near the fire site, including shops and manufacturing factories, have also suffered business losses.

On July 19, the day after the fire broke out, Seohae-gu issued an evacuation order for residents within a 116-meter radius due to concerns about the building collapsing. As a result, about 40 businesses, including restaurants and small manufacturing firms within the evacuation zone, had to completely suspend operations.

The number of small business owners who were effectively unable to operate is expected to be even higher, as areas outside the evacuation zone were also restricted due to the entry and staging of large firefighting equipment and vehicles.

Seohae-gu plans to discuss compensation or settlements with Coupang after identifying the physical and material damages suffered by residents and small business owners.

Coupang has reportedly already requested discussions with Seohae-gu regarding compensation for residents.

Separately, Seohae-gu is considering exercising its right to indemnity to bill Coupang for the district's own budget spent on emergency response, recovery, and providing supplies to residents.

The district believes it can claim costs incurred during the recovery process, such as replanting street trees cut down to fight the fire, street cleaning, and waste disposal.

Park Sang-seop, Deputy Head of Seohae-gu, said, "It is something that must naturally be considered during the containment and recovery process," adding, "While it is difficult to calculate the specific amount yet, we will identify the costs directly incurred."

Article 66 of the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety allows the state and local governments to claim costs incurred during disaster response and recovery from the party that caused the social disaster.

The fire started on the 6th floor of the Coupang No. 32 Logistics Center in Seoknam-dong, Seohae-gu, Incheon, at 6:54 a.m. on July 18 and spread to the upper floors.

Fire authorities, who faced difficulties in extinguishing the fire due to the large amount of combustible materials inside and the complex structure of the building, brought the main fire under control at 8:00 p.m. yesterday, 61 hours after the fire began, and are currently extinguishing remaining flames.

While 121 people, including employees, evacuated on their own at the time, two firefighters received hospital treatment for smoke inhalation and exhaustion while battling the blaze.

(Photo: Yonhap News)