A fire at a Far Eastern New Century Corp. chemical fiber plant in Hsinchu County, Taipei, Taiwan early Thursday morning has resulted in two deaths and 19 injuries. The blaze broke out at approximately 3:00 a.m. at the company's Cotton 6 North Plant in Sinpu Township.

Firefighters dispatched 29 vehicles and 60 personnel to the scene and brought the fire under control, though efforts continued for some time. Initial investigations suggest a gas leak from a hot oil pipeline triggered the explosion, according to Far Eastern Group. The company is awaiting official confirmation from investigators.

Tragically, two employees lost their lives. Duty manager Tsai Pai-wei, 35, was killed at the scene while investigating a fire alarm. Engineer Chang Chun-yu, 43, suffered critical injuries and later died in hospital. The injured includes seven Taiwanese and twelve foreign nationals.

Far Eastern Group Chairman Douglas Hsu has pledged generous compensation for the families of the deceased and is aiding with the injured.

Of the 19 injured, five sustained serious injuries, while the remaining 14 suffered minor injuries. All victims are receiving medical treatment, and Far Eastern is providing support to them and their families.

This incident marks the fifth fire at the plant since 2019, raising concerns about safety practices. Local residents have reported frequent foul odors and air pollution emanating from the plant, with some describing it as a "ticking time bomb."

The Hsinchu County Environmental Protection Bureau is monitoring air quality and has issued advisories for certain areas in Jhubei City and Hsinchu City, recommending residents close windows and wear masks due to potential air pollution.

Hsinchu County Commissioner Yang Wen-ke visited the scene and expressed his condolences. The local government has pledged to strengthen inspections of factory equipment to prevent future incidents. The labor safety agency has suspended operations at the factory pending investigation results and will determine if further penalties are warranted.

The Workforce Development Agency is assisting with offering condolences to foreign workers affected by the tragedy. The Hsinchu County Fire Bureau suspects leaking kerosene from high-pressure pipelines as a possible cause of the fire, with the kerosene potentially exploding upon contact with a heat source. The investigation into the exact cause of the fire is ongoing.