In the early hours of today, around 3 AM, a massive explosion occurred in a residential area on Ximen Road in Hengchun Township, Pingtung County. The scene was engulfed in flames. The Hengchun Fire Brigade received the report and rushed to the scene immediately to extinguish the fire. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but five motorcycles at the scene were burned. This comes not so long after a fire in Hayata Hotel in Hongchaikeng was reported not so long ago in our news section as well.
Residents of the building mentioned that they heard people arguing before the incident. Shortly after, an explosion sound was heard. Initially, they thought it might be someone setting off firecrackers in the middle of the night.
It wasn’t until they went outside in the morning that they discovered that someone had thrown Molotov cocktails. According to the preliminary understanding of the police, the incident was caused by an alcohol-related dispute. The suspect has just been apprehended.
Aftermath of fire in Hengchun
Upon viewing surveillance footage, a man carrying what appears to be a container of gasoline can be seen arriving at the scene. After pouring the gasoline inside, he steps out of the canopy and throws a ignited object onto the canopy. An instant fireball erupts.
Moment of ignition caught on security camera
The local police arrived promptly upon receiving the report. Several officers quickly used household fire extinguishers to fight the fire from close range.
Hengchun, Checheng, and Manzhou stations, along with the Fourth Brigade, sent a total of 10 vehicles and 18 personnel to the scene.
The fire burned fiercely, and the high temperature prompted the officers to step back after extinguishing the flames. Subsequently, the fire department arrived and swiftly deployed water hoses to control and extinguish the fire, which was brought under control approximately half an hour later.
Upon arrival, the Hengchun team assessed that motorcycles under a canopy were on fire and immediately started firefighting operations. At 4:25 AM, Hengchun team leader Huang Bojun reported that the fire had been extinguished and the scene was controlled.
There were no casualties. Fire investigators are conducting a subsequent investigation into the cause of the fire.
A preliminary investigation by the Hengchun police indicates that in the early hours of today, multiple men were quarreling on the street after consuming alcohol.
Seemingly out of anger, one individual allegedly poured gasoline on motorcycles and ignited a major fire. Fortunately, this did not affect residences or cause any injuries. The incident involves charges related to public endangerment and property damage. The police have identified the individual responsible for the arson and are pursuing him for arrest.