Taichung Construction Site Fire Claims Nine Lives, Injures Eight
A devastating fire at a construction site for PX Mart, Taiwan’s largest supermarket chain, has left nine people dead and eight others injured. Authorities confirmed Friday that the fire was caused by welding sparks igniting stored paint on the third floor of the building.
The blaze, which occurred at a processing center under construction in Taichung, spread rapidly due to the presence of highly combustible insulation materials, making it nearly impossible for victims to escape. Thick smoke filled the building, causing severe conditions and contributing to the high number of casualties.
Cause of the Fire: Welding Sparks Ignites Paint
Initial investigations by the Taichung City Fire Bureau revealed that the welding work on the third floor triggered the fire when sparks fell onto flammable paint stored in the basement. The fire intensified due to the building’s insulation materials, which acted as accelerants. According to Fire Bureau Chief Sun Fu-yu, the lack of proper escape routes and the dense smoke contributed to the high fatality rate.
Poor Fire Safety Measures at the Site
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) pointed out serious lapses in fire safety management. Investigators found that welding was being carried out too close to flammable materials and without fire blankets, as required by safety regulations. Without the proper safeguards, the building became susceptible to the “chimney effect,” in which hot air and smoke trapped in the building worsened conditions and hindered escape.
“Under such circumstances, victims were unable to evacuate in time,” explained OSHA deputy head Wan Jung-fu.
Details of the Incident: Workers and Casualties
At the time of the fire, workers were installing freezers in the under-construction PX Mart processing center, located next to an operational facility preparing meat and fish for PX Mart stores across Taiwan. Tragically, seven Taiwanese nationals and two migrant workers, including one undocumented Vietnamese national, lost their lives. Five of the eight injured remain hospitalized in stable condition.
The fire has raised concerns about the safety standards at construction sites and the need for more rigorous fire prevention measures.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Consequences
Authorities have opened an investigation into the incident, and companies involved may face substantial fines. OSHA has warned that each violation of safety regulations could lead to fines of up to NT$300,000 per offense.
PX Mart’s Response:
The supermarket chain expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. As of now, the company has also announced plans to reevaluate safety procedures at all of its construction sites.
FAQ:
Q1: What caused the deadly fire at the PX Mart construction site?
A: The fire was caused by welding sparks that ignited flammable paint stored in the basement, which spread quickly due to combustible insulation materials.
Q2: How many people died in the fire, and how many were injured?
A: Nine people were confirmed dead, and eight others were injured. Five of the injured are still hospitalized in stable condition.
Q3: What was the role of OSHA in the investigation?
A: OSHA revealed that fire safety measures were not followed at the site, including welding near flammable materials and the absence of required fire blankets.
Q4: What is the “chimney effect,” and how did it contribute to the fire?
A: The “chimney effect” refers to the upward movement of hot air and smoke in a tall, enclosed space, which worsened the fire and made it harder for people to escape.
Q5: What are the consequences for violating safety regulations?
A: Violations of safety regulations could result in fines up to NT$300,000 for each offense.
