TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A fire was reported outside the main building of the newly constructed Kaohsiung Medical University Gangshan Hospital on Saturday (May 18). 

The fire started around 5 p.m. outside the newly constructed hospital building on Jie’an Rd., and burned through a large pile of garbage and discarded construction materials. Firefighters were on the scene by 5:40 p.m., and the blaze was under control within 30 minutes, reported UDN.  

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but firefighters suspect that a carelessly discarded cigarette butt may have ignited the flammable garbage piled in the area. A security guard helped slow the spread of the fire with a fire extinguisher. 

Kaohsiung Medical University Gangshan Hospital has been under construction for almost 10 years. Trial operations began in April, and regular emergency, outpatient, and inpatient services will be available starting June 1. 

The fire was located less than 15 meters from the main building in an area where plastic waste and building materials were placed during the construction process. Fortunately, the fire was put out without causing any damage to the main building, and no injuries were reported.