Taipei: A fire at a chemical fiber factory in Taiwan early Thursday resulted in the deaths of two workers and injured 19 others, local media reported.

According to Anadolu Agency, firefighters responded to the blaze at 2:53 a.m. local time (1853GMT, Wednesday) and managed to extinguish it by 3:30 a.m. (1930GMT). The local fire department reported that two employees suffered fatal heart attacks-one at the scene and the other later in the hospital.

Among the 19 injured, five individuals are in critical condition, while the remaining 14 sustained minor injuries. The company identified a gas explosion linked to a leak in an insulation pipe as the cause of the fire and has pledged support for the victims and their families.

Despite the incident, the factory's production remains unaffected, with the daily output continuing at approximately 160 tons of chemical fiber, the company stated.