Kaohsiung residents warned of poor air quality after refinery fire

Kaohsiung, April 3 (CNA) Kaohsiung authorities on Friday advised residents to stay indoors and limit outdoor activity after an oil refinery fire raised air quality concerns, with no casualties reported.

The Kaohsiung City Fire Department said the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. at CPC Corp., Taiwan's Dalin Refinery in Siaogang District, and firefighters were continuing containment efforts as of press time.

City officials said the blaze was caused by a leak in a heat exchanger at a catalytic cracking unit, which ignited heavy oil and produced thick black smoke.

Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) warned that air quality could be affected in multiple districts and urged residents to keep windows and doors closed and wear masks if going outside.

The affected districts include Siaogang, Cianjhen, Fongshan, Lingya, Sinsing, Cianjin, Sanmin and Gushan.

The city's Environmental Protection Bureau said it will fine the operator between NT$100,000 and NT$5 million (US$3,130-US$156,500) for violating air pollution regulations.