An overnight fire and explosion at an illegal waste dump in Tainan hurt 15 people and damaged dozens of homes — bad news for residents, and a warning sign about unregulated industrial waste.

• The fire broke out after 1am at a site where aluminium and magnesium scrap had been dumped illegally, and it blew up.
• 15 people were hurt, mostly cuts to the head and face; 11 homes caught fire and 57 in total were hit, along with cars.
• The city is paying the 11 worst-hit households an immediate NT$20,000 each, with NT$20,000 to NT$100,000 more possible, plus tax breaks and temporary housing at a local temple.
• The city has hired lawyers to help residents sue whoever dumped the metal waste, and says no one ever filed to store waste there.
• Crews covered the site with soil to stop it reigniting and are still watching air and ground conditions nearby.

Outlook: Expect a hunt for the source of the illegal waste and tighter checks on high-risk dumping sites across the city.