An ultra-high voltage substation in Taiwan’s Hsinchu Science Park exploded and caught fire on the afternoon of the 16th, resulting in a tragedy that left 1 dead and 2 injured. Due to the large amount of insulating oil stored in the substation, the fire continued to burn into the evening.
According to reports from Taiwanese media, at around 3 p.m. that day, a fire broke out on Lixing Road in the Hsinchu Science Park. The Zhuyuan Ultra-high Voltage Substation, operated by Taiwan Power Company at that location, suddenly exploded and caught fire. The scene was accompanied by startling flames and thick black smoke, obscuring half the park’s sky.
The fire department dispatched a large number of personnel and fire trucks to the scene to fight the fire. Three injured people were sent to hospital for treatment, one of whom was seriously injured and showed no vital signs when rescued.
According to eyewitness footage from the scene, thick black smoke kept billowing from above the substation and was clearly visible from several kilometers away, attracting great concern from employees throughout the park. Some people posted on social platforms that they heard a loud explosion followed by heavy smoke, and expressed worries about impacts on the power supply.
The fire on Monday continued to burn until 9 p.m. before finally being brought under control.