TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) on Friday urged residents to remain indoors after a fire at Taiwan's state-backed CPC Dalin Refinery sent thick black smoke into the air.
CNA reported that the city's Fire Bureau received a report at around 2 p.m. in Xiaogang District and dispatched 10 vehicles and 22 personnel to the scene. Firefighters were still working to bring the blaze under control in the afternoon.
Officials said the fire was caused by a leak in a heat exchanger at a catalytic cracking unit, which ignited heavy oil. The incident occurred at the refinery in Linhai Industrial Park, EBC reported.
Kaohsiung Environmental Protection Bureau said the case may constitute a violation of the Air Pollution Control Act. Authorities are considering a fine of between NT$100,000 (US$3,100) and NT$5 million, per Yahoo News.
Chen said an AI-based cloud monitoring system detected the black smoke and helped authorities quickly locate the source of the fire. He warned that air quality could be affected in several districts, including Xiaogang, Cianjhen, Fongshan, Lingya, and Sanmin.
Residents have been advised to close windows and doors and avoid going outside unless necessary. Those who must go out should wear masks to reduce exposure to polluted air, per Liberty Times.
Reuters reported that the refinery reported an explosion and fire in October 2022, likely caused by a gas leak during maintenance. No injuries were reported in that incident, and operations resumed after inspections.
