By KHT Staff. Photo courtesy of the Kaohsiung City Fire Department. April 3, 2026.
KAOHSIUNG — Authorities in Kaohsiung on Friday urged residents to remain indoors and reduce outdoor activity after a fire at a local oil refinery raised concerns about air pollution. No injuries were reported.
According to the Kaohsiung City Fire Department, the fire began at around 2 p.m. at CPC Corp., Taiwan’s Dalin Refinery in Siaogang (小港) District. Fire crews were still working to bring the situation under control as of late afternoon.
Officials said the incident was caused by a leak in a heat exchanger within a catalytic cracking unit. The leak ignited heavy oil, producing large amounts of dense black smoke.
The Central News Agency reports that Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) warned that air quality could deteriorate across several parts of the city. Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed and to wear masks if they needed to go outside.
Districts expected to be affected include Siaogang (小港), Cianjhen (前鎮), Fongshan (鳳山), Lingya (苓雅), Sinsing (新興), Cianjin (前金), Sanmin (三民), and Gushan (鼓山).
The Kaohsiung City Environmental Protection Bureau said the refinery operator could face fines ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$5 million for violations of air pollution regulations.
