TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) rushed to the scene of a factory fire on Tuesday at Dafa Industrial Park, where 43 fire engines and more than 100 firefighters battled the blaze.
The fire broke out around 12 p.m. at a plastics factory in Kaohsiung’s Daliao District, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. All 47 employees inside the facility were evacuated, while several sustained minor injuries. The cause of the fire is being investigated, per CNA.
Considerable effort was needed to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring facilities.
Chen arrived shortly after being notified of the incident. Speaking to reporters, he said an explosion occurred in a heating furnace in the production area, igniting raw materials and finished products, including polypropylene and polystyrene, and causing the fire to engulf the factory. Chen said the fire was contained within the factory premises after intensive firefighting efforts.
Due to prevailing northwesterly winds, areas downwind of Daliao District were affected by heavy smoke. Kaohsiung Environmental Protection Bureau said it was monitoring air quality and urged residents to keep doors and windows closed and avoid going outdoors unless necessary.
The fire caused significant emissions of particulate matter, the EPB said, constituting a violation of Article 32 of the Air Pollution Control Act. The factory could face a fine of between NT$100,000 and NT$5 million (US$3,170 to US$159,000).
