Taichung City recycling plant fire causes pollution, takes 19 hours to extinguish
A fire at a recycling plant in Taichung City created a plume of thick, black smoke that could be seen up to 40 kilometers away yesterday, and was finally extinguished by firefighters this morning after a 19-hour-long battle.
The Taichung City Fire Bureau received reports of a fire at a recycling plant on Wunan Road, Wuqi District at around 2:40 pm yesterday. Nineteen firetrucks and 39 firefighters were immediately dispatched to battle the blaze.
Piles of plastic pellets and other materials fueled a fierce fire that created a plume of thick, black smoke that could be seen as far away as Changhua County in the south, and Miaoli County to the north. Residents in many surrounding districts reported being affected by a toxic-smelling stench.
Firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to nearby factory buildings and brought the blaze under control at around 10:30 pm. The fire was finally completely extinguished at around 9:00 am this morning.
The Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau sent personnel to inspect the site this morning and said that the company is suspected of improper management by piling debris, and improper collection of firefighting wastewater, and is liable to a fine of up to NT$8 million.
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