Another fire broke out at the petrochemical complex of Formosa Plastics Group (FPG) in Mailiao, Yunlin County, Taiwan, in early September. It was the eighth fire to hit the industrial zone this year. FPG issued an apology but explained that the fire occurred while transporting alkylate. Company executives said the incident took place when the manufacturing and processing operations at the petrochemical complex were temporarily closed for inspection and equipment maintenance. They said FPG will cooperate with firefighters to determine the cause of the fire. FPG and its petrochemical complex in Yunlin have been placed under unprecedented public scrutiny after seven other fires were reported at the petrochemical complex over the past year. Protests from residents and the Yunlin Provincial Government in southwestern Taiwan prompted the Ministry of Economic Affairs to temporarily shut down the facilities on safety concerns. The government has also asked FPG to carry out a phased suspension of operations at its production facilities in the compound over a one-year period. (September 7, 2011)