An early-morning fire and blast on an empty lot in Tainan's Annan District spread to homes and cars, hurting firefighters and residents alike.

• Waste piled on a vacant lot on Haidian Road caught fire and then exploded before dawn.
• The blaze spread to 8 homes and burned about 20 vehicles, including fire trucks and an ambulance.
• Three firefighters and 10 residents were hurt, mostly scrapes and burns; several are still under observation.
• The lot held aluminum-magnesium scrap and waste oil, which likely fed the explosion.
• Crews evacuated dozens of neighbors and used foam and water cannons to bring it under control.

Outlook: The fire is out, and investigators are still working out what set the waste alight.