October 13, 2025 – Pingtung, Taiwan
A fire broke out this morning at a tire cracking factory in the Pingnan Industrial Zone, Pingtung, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky and releasing a strong foul odor that alarmed nearby residents and passersby.
According to the Pingtung County Fire Department, the blaze started around 10:00 a.m., originating from a rubber cracking furnace inside the factory. Upon receiving the emergency call, firefighters swiftly mobilized units from Fangliao, Jiadong, Linbian, and Donggang, along with the Special Search Team and the Third Brigade, totaling 13 vehicles, 21 personnel, and one firefighting robot. The response was led by Third Brigade Captain Wu Mingdi.
Firefighters managed to contain and extinguish the fire by 11:01 a.m., preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported.
Eyewitnesses said the burning rubber and tire carbon particles emitted a pungent stench, and the black smoke could be seen from a distance, prompting concerns among local residents.
Pingtung County Councilor Huang Jianyi, who happened to be driving near the scene, witnessed the incident and promptly alerted authorities. He warned that fires in the industrial zone could pose risks to surrounding communities such as Taiyuan and Donghai, urging the public to avoid the area until conditions normalize.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire and assessing potential environmental impacts from the smoke and odor.