Taitung recycling plant fire extinguished with excavator, firefighter cooperation

A fire erupted at the Taitung City government's recycling plant in the early hours of June 10, with flames and thick smoke billowing into the sky. The blaze, which started around 12:44 a.m., involved a significant quantity of recyclable materials.

Firefighters from the Taitung Fire Brigade were the first to arrive at the scene. Due to the intensity of the fire, additional support was dispatched from the Nanwang and other brigades. The fire was largely contained within about 20 minutes, aided by the use of an excavator. The excavator's arm was used to turn over the burning materials, allowing water lines to reach the source of the flames more effectively.

Concerns were raised about the proximity of the fire to a large storage area of used tires. Had the fire spread, the consequences could have been far more severe. However, the recyclable items were damp due to rain the previous day, which may have helped slow the fire's initial spread.

The owner of a nearby orchard rushed back to the property after hearing about the fire and released his guard dogs to safety. He noted that a similar fire had occurred about one to two years prior, caused by fireworks from a temple event. He found it puzzling that a fire could start on a rainy night without a similar apparent cause. Fire investigation teams have been dispatched to determine the exact cause of the blaze.