A fire broke out at midday at a private residence in Jiali, Tainan, reportedly caused by an electrical problem with a washing machine. The homeowner escaped unaided and there were no casualties—a local news item that turned out to be a false alarm.

• The fire broke out at around 12:50 p.m. today. The fire department dispatched 12 vehicles and 19 personnel to the scene, and the blaze was quickly extinguished with no other major property damage.
• The cause of the fire is believed to be related to electrical factors involving the washing machine. Residents are reminded to make sure appliances are switched off after use.
• If you notice an appliance overheating, giving off a burnt smell, smoking, or making strange noises, stop using it immediately and unplug it.
• Do not connect too many high-power appliances to the same socket or extension cord, and regularly inspect and replace any wiring, plugs, or sockets that are old or damaged.
• Keep the "6 Don'ts" of home electricity use in mind: don't overload circuits, don't bundle or bend wires until damaged, don't let plugs get damp or dirty, don't leave sockets plugged in when not in use, don't place flammable materials near appliances, and don't use products without safety certification labels.

Outlook: With hot weather and frequent use of household appliances, the risk of electrical fires rises, and putting safe electricity-use habits into practice is the most effective short-term way to prevent them.