In 90 AG, this thriving fishing community found its well-being ruined when the Fire Nation military appropriated a plot of land on the banks of the Jang Hui River, and established the Fire Nation Army factory – a tremendous metal manufacturing facility which served as the principle smelter for weapon production. The factory spewed all of its waste out into the river, polluting the water and destroying the villagers' chief livelihood. Afterward, local fishermen were lucky to find a few shriveled fish and some dirty clams. Multiple shops in the center of town were boarded up and closed. Without clean water, food, and proper medicine, many poor, sick villagers were helplessly reduced to suffering and poverty.