TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an addressed public concerns on Wednesday (Feb. 21) over a fire's cause and environmental effects at an electronics factory in Shenkeng.
The fire began Tuesday afternoon and produced thick smoke that blanketed both Taipei and New Taipei, including the Wenshan, Da'an, and Zhongzheng districts, resulting in an unpleasant burning smell and causing dizziness in some residents.
Public outcry swelled against Mayor Chiang on Facebook, with remarks such as "Are you sleeping?" and "Are your noses blocked?", urging him to address the situation.
According to Chiang, the Environmental Protection Department of New Taipei reported heightened concentrations of particulate matter, between 50 and 60 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3), in the Jingmei district, downwind of the fire. Smoke was carried as far as the Xindian, Zhonghe, and Yonghe districts, and areas of Taipei.
Chiang proposed five measures in response to the situation and fully cooperated with New Taipei to manage the crisis. Measures included continuous monitoring of air quality, real-time updates on the situation, advising citizens in affected areas to shut windows and doors, turn on air conditioners and wear masks, thanking the public and media for their feedback, and reviewing the parameters and standards of air quality tests by the Environmental Protection Department.
