Yilan Joss Paper Store Fire Kills One, Investigators Collect Evidence

A late-night fire in Yilan City, Taiwan, claimed one life and damaged several businesses. The blaze, which started at a joss paper store on Taishan Road, rapidly spread to three neighboring establishments. Firefighters responded to the emergency shortly before midnight, battling thick smoke and flames. Nine residents were rescued from the affected buildings. Tragically, a 67-year-old woman was discovered unresponsive on the second-floor balcony of an adjacent kitchenware store. She was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead, with authorities suspecting smoke inhalation as the cause of death. The victim was reportedly a tenant in the building. Fire investigators on Monday examined the scene and pinpointed a likely origin on the first floor of the joss paper store, citing the presence of flammable materials like joss paper and incense that likely fueled the inferno. Evidence has been collected and sent to the Fire Research Institute for detailed analysis to determine the exact cause of the fire.