Tainan recycling plant fire spreads to neighboring factories

A large fire broke out at a recycling plant in the Yongkang District of Tainan late on the night of September 24. The blaze, which began around 11:19 PM, spread rapidly due to the large volume of flammable materials stored on-site, eventually engulfing a neighboring stinky tofu factory and an automotive repair shop.

Emergency responders deployed approximately 40 vehicles and 100 personnel to combat the flames. Firefighters utilized drones, firefighting robots, and heavy machinery to manage the situation, particularly as narrow alleys and dense smoke hindered access. While the fire was brought under control around midnight, it was not fully extinguished until 3:53 AM, with residual fire cleanup continuing until the morning.

The owner of the stinky tofu factory, who was working alone at the time, managed to escape without injury, though he reported significant damage to his equipment and estimated losses exceeding 500,000 TWD. No casualties were reported. The Tainan Environmental Protection Bureau advised local residents to close windows and wear masks due to smoke and odors from burning plastics and electronic waste.