A large explosion and fire in Tainan's Annan District has damaged over a hundred homes, leaving residents displaced and the city scrambling to pay out aid and find who is responsible.

• Eleven homes burned badly and another 102 were damaged; 21 people from 8 households are staying in shelters.
• The city hired the local bar association to sue whoever caused the fire, and prosecutors are running a criminal case.
• Payouts are already flowing — the worst-hit homes get the largest sums, with smaller amounts per damaged floor for neighbors.
• Air and water tests near the site came back clean, and about 7 tonnes of debris has been hauled away.
• Fire investigators are collecting metal fragments and burn residue to pin down what set off the blast.

Outlook: Structural engineers inspect the damaged buildings next, and lab results on the debris should point to the cause and the compensation claims that follow.