Smoke billows from pharmacy in Zhunan, Miaoli; firefighters force entry to extinguish fire

Central News Agency (Miaoli, May 29) A chain pharmacy in Zhunan Township, Miaoli County, saw thick smoke billowing out early this morning. The fire department rushed to the scene upon receiving the report. As it was outside business hours and the main entrance was locked, firefighters used a cutter to destroy the metal shutter, entered the premises in time, and extinguished the fire. No casualties were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Around 5:00 AM, the Miaoli County Fire Bureau received a report of a fire at a chain pharmacy on Bo'ai Street in Zhunan Township. They immediately dispatched personnel and vehicles from the Zhunan, Toufen, Houlong, and Zaoqiao fire stations to the scene. Upon arrival, they found thick smoke continuously emerging from the first floor, though no flames were visible. Firefighters quickly set up water lines outside the building to prevent the fire from spreading.

Since the pharmacy had not yet opened for business and the main entrance was locked, firefighters used an electric saw to cut through the metal shutter to seize the golden window for firefighting. They successfully pulled the water lines inside and extinguished the fire. Preliminary inspections confirmed that no one was trapped or injured.

The Miaoli County Fire Bureau stated that the fire was smoldering inside the metal-clad structure and was brought under control and extinguished in a timely manner. The cause of the fire remains under further investigation.