TAINAN — A large fire and repeated explosions were reported at a site in Annan District (安南區) early Saturday, Aug. 22, sending flames and smoke above nearby buildings and drawing a large overnight emergency response. The cause and casualty count were unclear in the first reports.
Firefighters received the alarm at 1:12:12 a.m. for a location near Section 2 of Haidian Road (海佃路二段), Daan Street (大安街) and Lane 342, according to TDNS. The report said crews from several Tainan City Fire Bureau (臺南市政府消防局) brigades and stations were deployed.
China Times described the site as a factory in a narrow lane. It reported that the fire spread rapidly and that several explosions woke nearby residents, some of whom said they felt buildings shake.
Early accounts gave conflicting information about injuries. TDNS said in its headline that nine people had been taken to hospital, but the body of its report said casualties were still being investigated and provided no details about the patients.
China Times reported at 3:46 a.m. that the fire had been brought under control and that no casualties had been reported at that point, citing the fire bureau. The discrepancy could not be resolved from the available reports.
The fire bureau said the materials that burned, the cause of the blaze and the possible presence of hazardous substances required further investigation. Financial losses were also unknown.
Authorities urged residents to close doors and windows and warned people not to approach the scene to take photographs or watch the response. High temperatures, structural collapse and further flare-ups remained possible hazards around the fire site.
Source: China Times and TDNS
