A fire in a pile of waste on a vacant lot in Tainan's Annan District triggered a powerful explosion that injured three firefighters, all of whom have since been discharged from hospital. For the fire service and nearby residents, the incident ended in relief after an anxious scare.

• Waste on a vacant lot in Annan District caught fire on the 22nd, and because the burning material contained magnesium-aluminium compounds, it produced a violent explosion.
• Three firefighters were injured during the response and have all now been discharged from hospital to recuperate.
• Nearby residents were also affected by the explosion.
• The on-scene incident commander ordered an emergency withdrawal, keeping the harm to a minimum and averting serious casualties.
• Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che visited the injured at the Fire Bureau's Sixth Battalion on the 23rd and presented condolence payments.

Outlook: The injured firefighters will continue to recuperate before returning to duty, and the management of hazardous materials at waste storage sites is expected to draw greater scrutiny.