New Taipei (November 15, 2025) – A tour bus parked along Qiche Road in Ruifang District, New Taipei City, was engulfed in flames at around 4 p.m. today (15th), prompting an emergency response from local firefighters. Fortunately, all passengers—tourists from Japan—had already disembarked to explore Jiufen Old Street before the fire started.
According to the New Taipei City Fire Department’s Sixth Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade, a report was received at 4:12 p.m. regarding a bus fire on a sloped section of Qiche Road. Seven fire trucks and 22 firefighters were immediately deployed. Crews quickly controlled the blaze by setting up water lines upon arrival, successfully extinguishing the fire without any reported injuries.
The fire was so intense that the vehicle was reduced to a charred frame.
Police from the Jiufen station also responded to manage traffic in the area. The bus driver told authorities that the passengers were already off the vehicle when smoke and flames erupted. He added that the cause of the fire remains unknown. The tour company has since arranged for another vehicle to transport the tourists safely down the mountain.
Investigators are currently looking into what may have triggered the fire.