A massive warehouse fire damage incident engulfed one of South Korea’s largest fashion logistics hubs in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on Saturday. The blaze reduced the E-Land facility to a charred shell, destroying millions of garments stored inside. No injuries were reported, but the scale of the fire drew nationwide attention.
The fire broke out around 6:08 a.m., before employees arrived for work. South Chungcheong provincial fire authorities confirmed the flames started on the fourth floor and spread rapidly, fueled by clothing and footwear inventory. The facility covered 193,000 square meters and housed over 11 million items, making suppression extremely challenging.
Emergency crews responded swiftly, declaring a Level 2 emergency within an hour. They deployed 430 personnel, 150 vehicles, and 11 helicopters to contain the fire. Firefighters even used a high-capacity water cannon from Ulsan, which sprays 45,000 liters per minute—approximately 20 times the capacity of standard fire trucks.
The fire burned for more than nine hours before crews brought the main flames under control. Hotspots continued to smolder into the night, and helicopter operations ceased after sunset as teams focused on overnight suppression.
Structural engineers noted severe damage to the building. The northern section partially collapsed, while the southern exterior melted and warped under intense heat. Officials indicated that internal supports likely failed due to heat stress.
The cause of the warehouse fire damage remains under investigation. The same facility experienced a minor fire nine days earlier, but E-Land Group stated the incidents were unrelated. The company also confirmed that a full investigation will begin once it is safe to access the site.
Opened in 2014, the facility processed up to 5 million parcels annually and played a crucial role in E-Land’s logistics network. Analysts warned that the fire could disrupt supply chains and delay deliveries for retailers dependent on the warehouse.
“The fire destroyed a massive inventory and impacted the region’s logistics capacity,” said a local fire official. “Recovery and rebuilding will require careful planning and coordination.”
This warehouse fire damage highlights the vulnerability of large-scale storage facilities to extreme fire events. Authorities and companies are expected to review safety protocols and implement additional measures to prevent future incidents.
