Fire at Panasonic factory in Hsinchu leaves 5 injured, 2 missing
Explosion-like sounds and thick black smoke were reported at the site; the blaze was extinguished before noon, while the cause and supply-chain impact remain under investigation.
A serious fire broke out early Nov. 4 at the plant of Panasonic Industrial Devices Materials Taiwan, a subsidiary of Japan’s Panasonic Group, in Hukou Township, Hsinchu County. Explosion-like sounds were reported and thick black smoke rose from the site. The latest information available in the morning indicated that five employees had been injured and taken to hospital, while two Taiwanese employees remained missing. Reuters reported that the fire was extinguished shortly before noon local time, but the whereabouts of the missing employees had yet to be confirmed.
According to Central News Agency reports, the fire began at about 2 a.m. at the plant on Guangfu Road in Hukou Township. The affected building was a five-story steel-frame structure with metal-sheet walls. The Hsinchu County Fire Department dispatched firefighting vehicles and personnel to the scene, using aerial ladder trucks, water cannons and hose lines to contain the blaze.
Fire officials said all five injured people were conscious. Their injuries included burns, abrasions, fractures, chest pain and breathing difficulties. The group comprised three Taiwanese employees and two Vietnamese employees. After the factory conducted a headcount, it confirmed that two other Taiwanese employees had not been located. Firefighters continued searching the site.
A follow-up Central News Agency report said thick smoke from the fire had temporarily affected air quality in the surrounding area. The Hsinchu County Government urged nearby residents to monitor air quality and reduce unnecessary outings. People traveling near the fire scene on Guangfu Road in Hukou Township were also advised to comply with traffic controls and take alternative routes in advance.
Reuters reported that the plant is operated by Panasonic Industrial Devices Materials Taiwan. Its products are supplied to printed circuit board manufacturers in Taiwan, while PCBs are key components in computers and electronic devices such as AI servers.
Because the plant is involved in producing printed circuit boards and semiconductor packaging materials, the incident has raised potential concerns not only about employee safety but also about the electronics supply chain and fire safety in industrial parks. The cause of the fire, the extent of property damage and its impact on production and supplies remain to be determined.