TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A malfunctioning escalator at Songshan Railway Station (松山火車站) in Taipei triggered a fire alarm on Wednesday (Jan. 14), causing a brief scare. Authorities responded quickly to the incident, which occurred at 11 a.m., when thick smoke emerged from the east side of Platform 2's basement level. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The Taiwan Railways Administration (台鐵公司) stated that the escalator emitted smoke while it was not in use. Station personnel promptly extinguished the fire with an extinguisher before it could spread. The station immediately notified emergency services by calling 119 and informed maintenance and firefighting contractors to assess the situation.
Repair crews halted the escalator and activated smoke extraction systems. They implemented control measures to redirect passengers along alternate routes, ensuring that station operations and train services remained unaffected. Firefighters confirmed that there was no risk of re-ignition, and the incident did not result in any casualties. Maintenance technicians will conduct further examinations to determine the cause of the smoke.
The Taiwan Railways Administration emphasized that the escalator will only reopen once it is deemed entirely safe. The administration also pledged to continue strengthening equipment safety management to prevent future incidents. Commuters are advised to remain alert and follow station announcements for any updates regarding the situation.
