TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Two firefighters died on Sunday (May 26) after they ran out of oxygen while evacuating people from a burning high-rise apartment in Hsinchu, while 173 residents still await rescue.
A fire broke out in an apartment building in Hsinchu's East District around 11 p.m. on Sunday, reported CNA. After helping to evacuate over 20 residents, two firefighters went back into the building to search for trapped residents, but they were later found collapsed in a stairwell.
The fire department's preliminary assessment is that the firefighters, identified as Li Yung-chen (李詠真) and Chou Li-hsin (周立鑫) collapsed after their breathing apparatuses ran out of air. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors were unable to save them and they were declared dead.
The Hsinchu City Fire Department received a report at 10:55 p.m. of a fire in a building on Ciyun Road. The fire was located on the first floor, and upon arrival, the police and firefighters discovered burning cables in the utility shaft, producing a large amount of thick smoke.
They immediately deployed two water lines to extinguish the fire. The blaze was controlled by 11:35 p.m.
The fire department said there are 292 residents in the building,119 have been evacuated so far, leaving 173 living above the 18th floor still awaiting rescue.
Since smoke extraction operations are ongoing in the building, the fire department has deployed a ladder truck and a heavy-duty crane. Residents above the 18th floor who are in immediate danger or experiencing physical discomfort are being transported to the ground for medical assistance using the ladder truck or crane.
The fire department said most of the smoke is concentrated in the stairwell, and it urged residents to shelter in safe areas of their homes and avoid going outside.
The Hsinchu City Government announced that smoke extraction operations are still underway. The one-way road to the community is closed, and residents should plan alternative routes.
