A large fire gutted a well-known snack factory in central Taiwan, a heavy blow to a local business but with no serious injuries.

• The Ri Xiang food plant in Zhushan, Nantou County, burned to the ground on Thursday morning.
• All 43 people inside got out; one worker was treated for smoke inhalation.
• Firefighters sent 14 units, 26 trucks and 77 people, pulling in crews from neighboring towns.
• Stacks of cardboard boxes and food ingredients inside let the fire spread fast, and the whole building was already alight when the first crews arrived.
• The factory, founded in 1974, is a local landmark known for its bamboo shoot crackers and a popular gift shop for visitors.

Outlook: Crews are still digging through the debris to kill hot spots, and the cause of the fire has not been determined.