A Landmark in the City Center, Black Smoke Erupts from COEX

What unfolded at COEX, right in the heart of Gangnam, on a bustling Friday morning? As thick black smoke suddenly billowed, everyone held their breath in shock! On April 25, 2025, Seoul’s iconic cultural complex, COEX, was plunged into tension due to an unexpected fire.

At around 11:06 AM, a fire broke out in a restaurant located on the second floor of COEX[1][2][3]. The blaze started in the kitchen and rapidly sent out thick black smoke, engulfing the surrounding area. The once busy and vibrant COEX instantly turned chaotic, with visitors and staff scrambling to evacuate in panic.

Upon receiving the fire report, firefighters responded swiftly. Thirty-three fire engines and over 120 firefighters rushed to the scene, battling the blaze with full force[4]. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the black smoke spreading inside and around COEX threw the entire area into disarray.

At the time, the ‘2025 World IT Show (WIS)’ was in full swing at COEX. Amid a celebration of cutting-edge technology, the sudden fire forced the event to pause, and participants had to evacuate for their safety[4]. This incident starkly highlighted the real risks that modern urban complexes can face.

The COEX fire incident leaves us with a vital lesson. It reminds us just how crucial safety management is for large facilities in city centers, and how essential rapid response is during emergencies. This event calls for heightened awareness and vigilance about safety in our everyday lives.

33 Fire Engines and 120 Emergency Responders: The Powerhouse of a Rapid Response

Like a scene straight out of a movie, the intense firefighting operation at COEX began. Thirty-three fire engines and over 120 firefighters swiftly converged on the scene. As if following a perfectly scripted scenario, each played their role flawlessly, quelling the chaos within just two hours.

Immediately after the fire broke out, the fire department launched an instant response. With sirens blaring, 33 fire trucks rushed to COEX, accompanied by 120 professional firefighters. This demonstrated the fire authorities’ rapid and powerful initial reaction to a blaze in a large, complex facility.

Upon arrival, firefighters launched a systematic suppression operation:

1. Identifying the fire’s origin and establishing a firefighting strategy
2. Conducting simultaneous rescue and evacuation efforts
3. Extinguishing the fire with focused water sprays using fire hoses
4. Carrying out ventilation procedures to prevent smoke spread

Thanks to this relentless effort, initial containment was achieved just 36 minutes after the fire began—around 11:42 AM—and full extinguishment was secured by 1:14 PM. It was a shining moment that reflected the firefighters’ expertise and dedication.

What stands out most is that despite deploying large numbers of personnel and equipment, the operation was so well-organized and efficient that it prevented any casualties. This truly underscores the critical importance of rigorous training and preparedness.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role that robust fire response systems play in large facilities. Going forward, continuous training and equipment upgrades will be essential to ensure even faster and more effective firefighting capabilities.

Fire Erupts in the Heart of the IT Show, and the Secret Behind the Rapid Recovery

On April 25, 2025, the ‘2025 World IT Show (WIS)’ held at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, was abruptly interrupted by a sudden fire. Remarkably, however, the event quickly returned to normal. How was such a swift response possible?

Rapid Evacuation and Systematic Safety Measures

In large cultural venues like COEX, thousands of visitors often move simultaneously, creating complex situations. The absence of casualties in this incident was thanks to a well-organized safety system.

1. Clear evacuation routes: Inside COEX, emergency exits and evacuation paths were clearly marked and easy to identify.
2. Trained staff: Regular fire drill training enabled staff to respond quickly and calmly.
3. Advanced firefighting equipment: Automatic fire detection systems and sprinklers played a crucial role in preventing the fire from spreading.

The Story Behind the IT Show’s Swift Resumption

Several key factors contributed to the rapid restart of the ‘2025 World IT Show’:

1. Isolation of the fire zone: By controlling only the area around the second-floor restaurant and keeping other sections operational, event interruptions were minimized.
2. Efficient information delivery: The situation was monitored in real-time, and accurate information was promptly shared with participants.
3. Flexible event management: Adjusting schedules and utilizing alternative spaces allowed for agile responses tailored to the circumstances.

Safety Management in Large Cultural Spaces: Challenges Ahead

This incident served as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of safety management in large cultural venues. Areas for future improvement include:

1. Enhancing real-time monitoring using IoT technology
2. Establishing fire risk prediction systems through big data analysis
3. Conducting more immersive evacuation drills utilizing VR/AR technology

COEX’s response sets a benchmark for crisis management in major cultural venues. Moving forward, continuous safety system enhancements and regular training will be essential to creating even safer cultural spaces.

A Small Kitchen Oil Mistake Threatens an Entire Large Facility: The Dangers of Kitchen Oil Fires

A tiny moment of carelessness can spark a blaze that impacts an entire massive complex. Why do Kitchen Oil Fires happen so frequently? The recent fire incident at COEX raises a serious alarm in response to this question.

Characteristics and Dangers of Kitchen Oil Fires

Unlike ordinary fires, kitchen oil fires spread rapidly. When hot oil reaches its flashpoint, flames can erupt instantly, and pouring water only risks spreading the fire further. The COEX incident clearly exemplified these hazardous traits of kitchen oil fires.

Fire Risk Management in Large Facilities

In massive mixed-use buildings like COEX, the scale of damage from a fire can grow exponentially. This demands even more rigorous fire prevention and response systems:

1. Regular inspections of firefighting equipment
2. Strengthening fire response training for staff
3. Tightening safety standards for kitchen facilities

Recommendations to Prevent Kitchen Oil Fires

1. Installing automatic suppression systems: Implementing automatic extinguishing devices linked to temperature sensors within kitchens
2. Enhancing management of cooking appliances: Mandating the use of appliances equipped with overheat prevention functions
3. Strengthening safety education: Conducting regular fire safety training for kitchen staff

The COEX fire incident is a crucial example showing how small negligence can escalate into a major threat. Fire safety management in large facilities is not just a matter of regulatory compliance—it is a vital responsibility tied directly to the safety of countless people.

Lessons Learned from Crisis: Why Innovation in Safety Systems is Urgent

The COEX fire incident sounded a loud alarm for fire safety systems in large, complex facilities. Through the challenges this event exposed, we explore future directions for change and propose survival strategies for major multi-use complexes.

Revealed Blind Spots in Fire Safety

1. Insufficient Preparation for Kitchen Fires: Fires caused by kitchen oil were a predictable risk, yet it became clear that countermeasures were inadequate.

2. Lack of Smoke Spread Control: Thick black smoke spread rapidly, making evacuation difficult. This highlighted the urgent need for effective smoke containment systems.

3. Neglecting the Scale and Complexity of Large Facilities: Customized fire strategies tailored to the intricate layouts of multi-use complexes were noticeably lacking.

Innovative Safety System Solutions

1. AI-Based Fire Detection Systems: Implementing AI to detect early fire signs swiftly and respond promptly is essential.

2. IoT-Enabled Real-Time Monitoring: Utilizing Internet of Things technology to continuously monitor and manage safety conditions across all facility areas is necessary.

3. Smart Evacuation Guidance Systems: Building intelligent systems that guide occupants along optimal escape routes in real time during a fire is critical.

Survival Strategies for Large Multi-Use Facilities

1. Prioritizing Safety Above All: A paradigm shift is required to view safety investment not as a cost but as an indispensable necessity.

2. Strengthening Regular Safety Drills: Conducting realistic fire evacuation drills involving both staff and visitors on a routine basis is vital.

3. Harnessing Advanced Technology for Safety Management: Introducing VR and AR-based safety education and training programs will enhance response capabilities.

The COEX fire incident left us with profound lessons. Now, it is time to build a safer and more trustworthy culture within complex facilities based on these insights. Innovating safety systems is not optional—it is mandatory. For the sake of all our secure futures, the time to begin change is now.