Waste dump fire explodes in Tainan, injuring residents and spreading pollution

A fire and explosion ripped through a residential area in Tainan City, Taiwan, early Tuesday morning. The blaze erupted at a vacant lot on Haidian Road, where waste had been illegally dumped by a company. Flames quickly spread to nearby homes, injuring multiple residents who were taken to the hospital. Firefighters battled the inferno for over four hours before bringing it under control.

Authorities are now investigating the company responsible for the waste. An inspection of its registered address in Kaohsiung's Gushan District revealed it was a hair salon with an expired lease. The Kaohsiung Environmental Protection Bureau stated that they will strictly investigate and heavily penalize any violations of air pollution and waste disposal laws once the fire investigation report is complete.

The fire also caused severe air pollution. During monitoring, high levels of ammonia were detected, reaching 20ppm in heavily smoked areas. This level is easily detectable by humans and causes strong irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. The Tainan Environmental Protection Bureau issued urgent warnings via Facebook and television crawls, advising residents in downwind areas of Annan and Yongkang districts to close their windows and minimize outdoor activities.