Recycling mattresses at Tianwaitian landfill in Keelung temporarily set up a fire alarm. DPP members questioned the Environmental Protection Bureau for not notifying residents to evacuate.

A fire broke out at the temporary storage site for recycled mattresses at Tianwaitian Landfill in Keelung City on September 30, with thick smoke billowing out. DPP city councilor Zhang Zhihao said during the general policy inquiry that he had already reminded the Environmental Protection Bureau that a large number of mattresses were stacked at too high a height, raising safety concerns and that they should be dealt with as soon as possible. Keelung City Environmental Protection Director Ma Zhonghao responded that penalties for violating air pollution laws are mainly targeted at manufacturers, not individuals. If a manufacturer causes a fire during operation, the maximum fine will be NT$5 million.

Zhang Zhihao pointed out that a large amount of accumulated debris caught fire and burned for nearly 20 hours this time, which caused great harm to the health of residents near the Tianwaitian Landfill. Moreover, in the fire scene, in addition to recycled mattresses, tires were also burned. The burning of these recycled materials produced toxic substances that floated to nearby homes. Zhang Zhihao questioned why the Environmental Protection Bureau did not send out cell text messages or relevant notices to notify the district chief and nearby residents to protect themselves and even evacuate if necessary.

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Zhang Zhihao said that he had already asked the Environmental Protection Bureau and Keelung Mayor Xie Guoliang to clear it as soon as possible during the general inquiry in May this year. However, the fire started the day after the manufacturers outsourced by the Environmental Protection Bureau found machinery and equipment to move in. It happened that the Environmental Protection Bureau staff were on vacation, so there were almost no witnesses, and there was no on-site surveillance footage to see how the fire occurred? Is it possible that a comprehensive physical examination mechanism, better standard procedures, and protective facilities for residents to evacuate were not established in time?

Environmental Protection Bureau Director Ma Zhonghao pointed out that the fire occurred at a temporary recycling site that mainly contained spring beds. The Environmental Protection Bureau's current understanding is that the fire occurred at the moment. In fact, the Environmental Protection Bureau's outsourced manufacturers were indeed performing relevant operations on site. The Environmental Protection Bureau already has a contractual relationship with the outsourced manufacturers, and the Environmental Protection Bureau will compensate the manufacturers for relevant damages in accordance with the relevant contracts.

Secondly, in accordance with the provisions of the Air Pollution Law, the fire caused a serious impact on the air in Keelung City. According to the relevant provisions of the Air Pollution Law, some relevant details are still required to be reviewed and determined. This also includes relevant investigation reports. The current maximum sanction amount is NT$5 million.

Ma Zhonghao further added that penalties for violating air pollution laws are mainly targeted at manufacturers, not individuals. If a manufacturer causes a fire during operation, the maximum fine will be NT$5 million. On average, the Environmental Protection Bureau will process the recycled mattresses in about 2 to 3 months. The day before the fire occurred, it was the time to ask the manufacturer to handle it. The mattress recycling process is outsourced to manufacturers. After the processing is completed, the manufacturer's machinery will also be removed.