Fire at Changbin Industrial Park Chemical Plant Rescues Trapped Workers

A chemical factory in the Xianxi Zone of the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park in Changhua County caught fire at night, resulting in a severe blaze. Because the facility housed large quantities of flammable chemical substances such as organic solvents, the fire spread rapidly in a short period. Thick smoke billowed into the sky, creating a terrifying scene. Upon receiving the report, the Changhua County Fire Bureau immediately activated its mass casualty and fire rescue protocols, dispatching a large number of fire engines and rescue personnel to the scene to battle the blaze. During the operation, firefighters discovered an employee trapped on the roof of the building and promptly deployed a aerial ladder truck for high-altitude rescue, successfully bringing the trapped individual to safety. Fortunately, no major casualties were reported.

The fire broke out after nightfall at the chemical factory in the Xianxi Zone of the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park. Due to the properties of the chemicals stored inside, the fire quickly raged out of control. Organic solvents are highly volatile and flammable; once exposed to ignition sources or high temperatures, they burn rapidly and can generate massive amounts of toxic smoke. Upon receiving the emergency call, the Fire Bureau dispatch center immediately deployed units from the local jurisdiction and several neighboring fire stations for support. When firefighters arrived at the scene, the entire facility was already engulfed in flames, accompanied by intermittent explosions and a pungent chemical odor, making rescue operations extremely difficult. Firefighters were required to wear self-contained breathing apparatuses and deploy multiple water lines to encircle and contain the fire.

Amidst the fierce flames and billowing smoke, the fire incident commander learned that an employee had been unable to evacuate in time and was trapped on the rooftop awaiting rescue. Facing the critical situation, the on-site search and rescue team immediately adjusted their tactics. In addition to maintaining water pressure from the ground to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas of the plant, they rapidly deployed an aerial ladder truck to a designated position. With the calm coordination of the incident commander and the operator, the ladder truck successfully reached the roof level, safely rescued the terrified trapped employee, and guided them to a safe area for preliminary medical evaluation and shelter.

This incident once again highlights the importance of safety protection and disaster preparedness for chemical factories within industrial parks. Due to the specialized nature of the materials produced and stored in chemical plants, their fire safety standards have consistently drawn public attention. When fires occur at such facilities, they not only pose a direct threat to the lives of employees within the plant but also frequently impact the surrounding environment and air quality due to combustion byproducts. In recent years, industrial parks across Taiwan have continuously strengthened disaster prevention drills and corporate self-defense capabilities with the goal of minimizing disaster losses and casualties when unexpected events occur. The rapid response of firefighters and the timely intervention of the aerial ladder truck in this incident once again validate the critical value of high-altitude rescue equipment in modern firefighting and disaster relief.

As the fire was brought under control, the Fire Bureau will subsequently conduct a detailed investigation and forensic analysis to determine the cause of the fire. The origin and cause of fires in chemical factories are generally more complex than those in ordinary buildings; fire investigation personnel, along with relevant specialized units, must enter the premises to collect evidence once the site has completely cooled and is safe, in order to clarify the exact sequence of events. At the same time, relevant competent authorities will conduct a comprehensive review of the factory's chemical storage quantities, compliance of fire safety facilities, and daily safety management mechanisms to ensure the safety of subsequent resumption of operations and to prevent similar terrifying accidents from happening again.

(Source: Central News Agency)