China News Service, February 21 (Xinhua) According to Taiwan media reports, on the 20th, a fire broke out in a building in New Taipei, Taiwan. The odor caused by the fire spread to many places in New Taipei and Taipei. Many citizens said they smelled a pungent stench and even gasped. Seek medical attention if the attack occurs. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan also recommended that citizens close doors and windows and wear masks when going out.
On the 20th, a fire broke out in a building in New Taipei, Taiwan. Image source: Taiwan United News Network
At about 2 p.m. on the 20th, the New Taipei City Fire Department received a report that a fire broke out in the basement of a multi-family building on Beishen Road, Shenkeng District, and spread to the 1st to 3rd floors of the same building. Black smoke was billowing from the scene. The Fire Department dispatched hundreds of people. Arriving at the scene to put out the fire, the fire was temporarily extinguished at 6:31 p.m.
Because the fire broke out in a connected basement and there were ventilation openings, the fire spread rapidly. It was initially estimated that the burning area was about 1,000 square meters.
But until late at night on the 20th, the basement was still filled with thick smoke and stench, and the odor caused by the fire also spread to many districts in New Taipei City.
Reports indicate that the location of the fire was an electrical communications manufacturing company. A preliminary investigation by the New Taipei Fire Department found that cardboard boxes, papers and sundries are usually stored in the basement here, while electronic products such as Bluetooth headsets, driving recorders, lamps and lithium batteries are stored on the first to third floors.
The New Taipei Fire Department stated that although the fire was initially extinguished, the lithium battery would still re-ignite through chemical reactions after being extinguished, making it very difficult to put out the fire. Therefore, as of about 1 a.m. on the 21st, it still adopted a defensive approach, continued to distribute water lines to cool down, and first used Heavy machinery was used to excavate the severely burned first floor, and then attempts were made to rescue people on the second floor.
The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau stated that it went to the site to monitor the air quality at 6 pm on the 20th and found that the concentration of granular pollutants in Xindian downwind near Jingmei District of Taipei City was relatively high, with the concentration ranging from 50 to 60 micrograms per cubic meter, and the concentration was high. Smoke spread to Xindian, Zhongyonghe and Taipei City areas. Affected people are advised to temporarily close doors and windows, wear masks when going out, and avoid staying outdoors for long periods of time to reduce respiratory and eye discomfort.
On the 20th, a fire broke out in a building in New Taipei, Taiwan. Image source: Taiwan United News Network
On the evening of the 20th, some netizens said on social media that they smelled a strong plastic smell and had a headache when inhaling it. They could also smell a pungent stench in the office building, which was quite uncomfortable.
Some netizens said, "Halfway through the ride, a sudden stench hit my nose, my vision was blurred, and I had difficulty breathing." "There was also a smell in Zhongshan District. I wanted to know who was burning plastic." "The air purifier showed 124, and the whole room smelled like a fire scene." "If you smell it for a long time, you will have a headache and dizziness."
Some netizens said that they smelled a strange smell at around 7pm on the 20th, and their skin started to feel itchy, red and swollen at 8pm. The condition did not improve after taking medicine, and they had an asthma attack in half an hour and rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.
A fire broke out in a building in New Taipei City, and the pungent odor spread to many places in New Taipei City and Taipei. Image source: Taiwan's "Central News Agency"
A Taiwan toxicologist said that when lithium batteries are burned, they will produce "hydrogen fluoride" poisonous gas, which may cause coughing, chest tightness, and even pneumonia. In addition to "hydrogen fluoride" poisonous gas, doctors pointed out that the burning of lithium batteries may also produce suspended particles such as PM2.5. People in downwind areas should avoid going out due to particles and other substances. If you must go out, it is recommended to wear a mask. It would be better if you can wear an N95 mask.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan also stated on social media on the 21st that if affected citizens are still affected by the smell, please temporarily close doors and windows, and please wear a mask when going out to avoid discomfort.
Jiang Wanan also instructed the Environmental Protection Bureau to review whether the air quality testing items, standards and methods meet actual needs; it should also review the notification and response mechanisms.