21 Scooters Damaged in Fire Outside Green Island B&B; Arson Not Ruled Out

(Central News Agency reporter Lu Taicheng, Taitung County, June 6) As Green Island enters its peak tourist season, a row of rental scooters parked by the roadside burst into flames early Friday morning, leaving 21 scooters either completely destroyed or damaged. Police are investigating whether the fire was deliberately set.

Early Friday, a user posted on Threads saying that around 2 a.m., they heard someone banging on the door of their accommodation, shouting, "Fire at the door, wake up!" When they rushed outside, they saw a row of scooters on fire. Nearby tourists and residents, startled, ran outdoors and discussed the possible cause of the fire.

The Taitung County Fire Bureau told CNA on Friday morning that they received a report at 2:37 a.m. about several scooters on fire in front of the Hemingway B&B in Green Island Township, with flames and heavy smoke. The Green Island detachment immediately dispatched 3 vehicles and 3 personnel to the scene and notified the police and the water company.

The Fire Bureau stated that upon arrival, the crew found the scooters parked by the roadside with a significant fire. They immediately began extinguishing the flames, bringing the fire under control by 2:52 a.m. and completely extinguishing it by 3 a.m. An investigation revealed that 9 scooters were completely destroyed and 12 were damaged, for a total of 21 affected vehicles. No casualties were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Taitung County Police Bureau's Taitung Branch stated that the fire could have been caused by an accident, such as a discarded cigarette butt, or it could have been an act of arson or a dispute over parking. They will review nearby surveillance footage and interview relevant individuals to determine the cause. (Editor: Li Shuhua) 1150606