A pre-dawn fire on Haidian Road in Tainan's Annan District set off a string of explosions, and a last-second retreat order kept firefighters from being caught in the blast.

• Crews arrived to a fierce blaze fed by flammable materials and waste, and spotted oil drums near the flames.
• The team was ordered out and switched to a water cannon from a safe distance, moments before the first blast.
• At least three explosions followed; three firefighters suffered light burns and scrapes to their arms and legs.
• Colleagues shielded one officer who was running without protective gear after crews had begun stripping off rain-soaked equipment.
• All three were treated and kept for observation, and asked to return to the scene.

Outlook: Investigators will look at what was stored on the site, with the oil drums the likely cause of the blasts.