[뉴스초점] 쿠팡 물류센터 화재 사흘째…현장 상황 어땠나? / 연합뉴스TV (YonhapnewsTV)

[Guest: Lee Jae-kyung, Social Affairs Reporter] As just reported, the fire that broke out at the Coupang logistics center in Incheon has been raging for three days. We will take a look at the situation on the ground and why the firefighting efforts are proceeding so slowly with Social Affairs Reporter Lee Jae-kyung, who visited the site in person yesterday. Reporter Lee Jae-kyung, what was the situation like when you visited the site yesterday? [Reporter] Yes, I arrived around 9 a.m. yesterday and covered the story on-site until around 5 p.m. I can summarize yesterday's situation in one phrase: "The situation is not easy." [Anchor] Could you please explain in more detail exactly what aspects you meant by saying the situation is not easy? [Reporter] First of all, while I was in the car on my way to Incheon, I watched a video sent in by viewers this morning. Although the video appeared to have been filmed from a distance from the logistics center where the fire broke out, the bright red flames inside the building were clearly visible. However, fortunately, when we arrived at the scene, the flames inside the logistics center were not so bright red that they were visible from below; only thick, black smoke was billowing out between the buildings. Perhaps thanks to the fire department mobilizing specialized equipment to speed up the firefighting efforts, the smoke began to subside by around lunchtime. However, after another two or three hours, the smoke that had subsided began to billow out fiercely again. Since we couldn't look inside, we had no choice but to estimate the fire situation based on the intensity of the smoke, but even this smoke was changing moment by moment. [Anchor] During the fire department briefing held yesterday morning, they said the main fire would be brought under control by around 11 PM. However, judging from what you just told us, it seems we can gauge that the situation at the scene was not easy, is that correct? [Reporter] Yes, that is correct. In fact, although the fire department did mention 11 PM yesterday as the estimated time for the initial containment, the atmosphere was very cautious. Reports initially stated it would take 16 hours based on 7 a.m. yesterday, but the final timeframe was reported as 11 p.m.; however, a fire department official corrected this during today's briefing. This means that, based on the time of the briefing, it would take another 16 hours. I attempted to speak with fire department officials several times while I was at the scene yesterday. Based on my work experience, they repeatedly urged me to consider this merely an "estimated time," explaining that the initial time estimate was only a preliminary estimate and that the situation at the scene could change. However, the fire authorities stated in a briefing just moments ago that they would do their utmost to extinguish the fire, aiming for the initial containment by tonight. [Anchor] With the fire dragging on for a third day, it seems residents' anxiety is likely to grow. [Reporter] With thick, black smoke continuously billowing out, residents' anxiety is bound to increase. When I visited the site in person yesterday, I saw nearby residents gathered around the cordon, unable to move on, staring blankly at the fire. [Anchor] Yes, during the fire department briefing held at 2 PM just a moment ago, it was announced that it would take a considerable amount of time to extinguish the fire. What do you think is the reason why the firefighting operation is taking longer than initially expected? [Reporter] First, the multi-story structure, or so-called "mezzanine structure," which is vulnerable to fire, is cited as a factor. According to the fire department briefing yesterday morning, the 6th and 7th floors where the fire broke out are each estimated to be about 10 meters high. A three-story shelving structure occupies about 8 meters of the center of this space, and these shelves were packed tightly with various household goods. Those who have visited a warehouse-style supermarket might understand this better. If you imagine a scenario where goods are stacked to heights out of reach, it might be easier to visualize what the fire scene was like. [Anchor] You mentioned that the complex internal structure of the logistics center and the densely packed goods exacerbated the damage. Shall we take a look at some of the other factors? [Reporter] I mentioned the three-tier shelving structure earlier. These shelving itself is being cited as one of the causes slowing down the fire suppression efforts. Since the shelving is not made of a material that withstands fire well, it burns and collapses, making the interior even more complex. According to the fire department, as these shelves collapse, the passageway is only about 1.3 meters wide. Because the shelves were already spaced very closely together, it is extremely difficult for our firefighters to enter the gaps. Further...