High-pressure pipeline leak suspected in fatal fire that killed 2

Taipei, Feb. 6 (CNA) Leaking kerosene from high-pressure pipelines is a suspected cause of the chemical fiber factory fire in Hsinchu County on Thursday, which resulted in two fatalities and 19 injuries, the county's fire bureau said.

Hsinchu County's Fire Bureau chief Chen Chung-chen (陳中振) told CNA that the kerosene may have exploded upon contact with a heat source. The fire engulfed 1,000 square meters and caused an estimated NT$15 million (US$456,421) in damages.

He said investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.

The bureau said in a statement that the fire at the Far Eastern New Century Corp. factory was reported around 3 a.m., prompting the dispatch of 82 firefighters and 12 volunteer firefighters to the scene.

Chen said the fire was largely contained at 7:37 a.m. and extinguished at 12:03 p.m.

Information from the bureau showed that dangerous equipment in the factory included a boiler and hot kerosene on the first floor, as well as various flammable chemicals on the second, third and fourth floors. The factory's safety measures were in line with regulations when it was inspected on April 26, 2024.

Meanwhile, the local government's labor safety agency issued a statement suspending operations at the factory to prevent further damage.

The agency said the results of investigations, conducted in conjunction with the fire bureau, will determine if any further penalties are warranted.

Regarding the fire victims, which include two deceased Taiwanese nationals, seven injured Taiwanese, and twelve injured foreign nationals, the agency said all of them are covered by labor insurance and occupational accident insurance.

The agency will urge insurers to expedite compensation processing and has requested the local government to provide support services.

Additionally, it has asked the Workforce Development Agency under the Ministry of Labor to assist with offering condolences to foreign workers, according to the statement.

Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke (楊文科) has also convened a meeting with local departments including the Fire Bureau and Environmental Protection Bureau.

He said the government will continue to monitor air quality, assist victims in securing their rights and strengthen inspections of factory equipment to prevent a similar incident from occurring again.