Water-reactive magnesium made fighting a fire Sunday at a metal alloy plant in Taiwan a difficult proposition. - Photo Courtesy of Changhua Fire Department

Water-reactive magnesium made fighting a fire Sunday at a metal alloy plant in Taiwan a difficult proposition.

Photo Courtesy of Changhua Fire Department

The presence of magnesium at a burning alloy factory Sunday morning in Taiwan made extinguishing the water-reactive blaze a touchy matter for firefighters.

Firefighters in Changhua County extinguished the fire within one hour using fire foam, local media report. Three fire crews responded to the scene.

Two construction workers suffered injuries when the fire broke out. Doctors treated one for burns to his face and back, while the second worker received injuries from a fall.

Burning magnesium reacts violently to water, producing great heat and a piercing white light. With a flame temperature exceeding 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, magnesium burns hot enough to break down water into its basic components – hydrogen and oxygen.

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