TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A portable charger fire on a local train forced a 22-minute delay at Taichung Lilin Station (台中栗林站) Wednesday (Nov. 26). A student's device emitted smoke in car No. 4, prompting the conductor to extinguish the flames immediately. The incident halted train operations during morning rush hour, affecting commuters throughout the region.
Taiwan Railway Corporation (台鐵), Taiwan's state-owned railway operator, confirmed the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2B at Fengyuan Station (豐原站) at 7:01 a.m. Wednesday. Railway police boarded immediately to collect evidence and completed their investigation at 7:19 a.m., allowing the train to resume service. The corporation plans to seek damages from those responsible due to burn marks on a seat.
Local authorities in Fengyuan suspect an item inside a female passenger's backpack spontaneously combusted Wednesday morning, leaving the bag severely charred. Fire-extinguishing powder dispersed across the train car floor during the incident, coating seats and aisles. Authorities noted further investigation is necessary to determine the exact cause, though Taiwan Railway Corporation, Ltd. assured frontline personnel fully controlled the fire before it spread. ◼