Fatal Fire in Taiwan Claims Four Lives After Emergency Call Delay
A devastating fire broke out in a residential home in Hualien County, Taiwan, early on Wednesday morning, resulting in the deaths of four family members. The blaze occurred in a metal-roofed house in Pinghe Village, Shoufeng Township. Despite efforts by the local fire department, the rescue was hampered by a five-minute delay due to a mistaken emergency location.
According to reports, the fire started shortly after midnight. A man surnamed Huang made the emergency call at 12:30 am but the fire engines only arrived around 1 am. Huang questioned the delay, which likely cost crucial time for rescue.
Hualien County Fire Department’s Deputy Chief Wu Jiaqi explained that firefighters initially reached the reported address but saw no signs of fire. After checking around and contacting the caller, they realised the blaze was actually on the other side of a nearby bridge, about five minutes away by travel time.
Confusion Over Fire Location Delays Rescue Efforts
Local villagers use different names for the area, with some calling it Gonghe Village, while the official address is Pinghe Village Zone 4. The village headperson indicated that the caller, likely overwhelmed by panic, may not have been clear about the exact location. The rural and dispersed layout of the area, with scattered farms and cottages, further complicated the emergency response.
By the time firefighters arrived at the actual fire site at 12:48 am, the house was already fully engulfed in flames. Locals reported that four family members were trapped inside. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze after about 30 minutes and tragically recovered four deceased victims from different parts of the ground floor.
Investigations by the fire bureau’s arson and fire cause division suggest the fire originated in the living room, possibly linked to electrical faults or an unattended heat source. Authorities ruled out any criminal intent.
Family Members Perished While a Couple Escaped
Among the victims were a 74-year-old man, his 68-year-old wife, a 67-year-old aunt, and a 38-year-old sister. A 49-year-old woman surnamed Su and her 60-year-old husband survived by breaking through a window to escape the inferno.
This tragic event has raised questions about emergency response protocols, particularly the importance of precise location reporting during crisis calls. Local authorities continue to support the family and are reviewing procedures to prevent future delays.