The fire broke out at approximately 2 p.m., following what the company suspects was an explosion of a boiler on the ground floor of the building. It was contained by firefighters within 2 hours. The facilities were not in operation at the time of the fire, on a Sunday, although some employees working overtime were on the premises. Five ASE employees, one firefighter, and two employees of outside contractors suffered minor injuries and received medical attention.

(May 03, 2005) San Jose, Calif.&#8212Worldwide sales of semiconductors grew by 13.2% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004, reports the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Global sales of semiconductors during the first 3 months of 2005 amounted to $55.3 billion, compared to $48.9 billion in the first quarter of 2004. Sales were up 0.4% sequentially from revenues of $55.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2004. March sales, at $18.4 billion, were up 2.2% from the February level of $18.0 billion.