Deadly fire at golf ball factory kills nine people 

A catastrophic fire has decimated a large golf ball factory in Taiwan, killing nine people, including four firefighters.

The Associated Press is reporting that more than 100 others were injured in the blaze at Pingtung Technology Industrial Park in Tapei last Friday. The cause of the fire remains unclear.

According to the report, the fire was followed by two explosions while factory-workers and firefighters trapped inside.

The factory, which manufactures golf balls for Launch Technologies Co, is said to produce one-fifth of the world’s ball supply.

AP reported that Launch Technologies shipped 260 million golf balls last year, with 80% of its sales coming in the United States.

Well-known golf ball manufacturers including Callaway, TaylorMade and Bridgestone are all set to be impacted.

A Callaway statement reads: “We are aware of the fire that occurred on Friday at the Pingtung City golf ball factory and are working directly with Launch Tech and local authorities to gather more information.

“Our thoughts are with all the first responders, employees and families of those who have been affected.”

While an investigation into the fatal fire is set to be launched, AP reports that the materials used to make the golf balls could have been a factor. The materials include organic peroxides, which are highly flammable and explosive.

It’s also being reported that Launch Technologies Co. was fined $75,000 after the fire by the Taiwanese government and could face criminal charges for “storing 30 times the legal limit of hazardous material and other violations.”

The report claims that Launch Technologies had 3,000 tons of organic peroxide on site at the factory, which is 30 times more than the 100-ton limit imposed by authorities.