Taichung Construction Site Fire Causes Thick Smoke; City Government Monitors Air Quality and Orders Work Stoppage

(Central News Agency, Taichung, 13th, Reporter Hao Hsueh-ching) A fire broke out today at a social housing project under construction in Beitun District, Taichung City, sending thick smoke into the air. The Taichung City Government stated that it is continuously monitoring air quality, has ordered a work stoppage for improvement, and has imposed a fine of NT$18,000 in accordance with the Building Act.

The Taichung City Fire Bureau received a report this morning around 9 AM that a building at a construction site for a social housing project at the intersection of Dunping 2nd Street and Dunping Street in Beitun District was on fire, with intense flames and thick smoke. Firefighters arriving at the scene found plastic pallets burning on the second basement level. It was initially determined that no one was trapped, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Environmental Protection Bureau stated that the fire is suspected to have started from plastic pallets on the second basement level of the construction site, causing thick smoke to emerge from the basement. Air pollutants generated by the fire have worsened the air quality in the surrounding area, and the emergency response team is simultaneously monitoring changes in air quality.

The Environmental Protection Bureau pointed out that a preliminary investigation suggests the fire was caused by inadequate protection during flame-cutting operations, with sparks falling onto plastic formwork on the second basement level. If mismanagement leading to a fire and causing air pollution is confirmed, a fine of NT$100,000 to NT$5,000,000 will be imposed in accordance with the Air Pollution Control Act.

The Taichung City Labor Inspection Office of the Labor Affairs Bureau stated that it has dispatched personnel to conduct a labor inspection at the 'Xinping Good House' social housing construction project and has required the business entity to stop work for improvement. If violations of the 'Occupational Safety and Health Act' are found, a fine of NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 will be imposed.

The Taichung City Urban Development Bureau explained that a preliminary understanding after the report indicates the cause of the fire was the failure to install appropriate fire prevention equipment or measures during flame-cutting for the removal of safety supports, leading to sparks falling onto plastic formwork on the B2 floor slab and causing the fire.

The Urban Development Bureau stated that due to the violation of the Building Act, in addition to ordering a work stoppage and imposing a fine of NT$18,000, the project must subsequently commission a third-party professional engineering association to conduct an appraisal. Work can only resume after confirming that the building structure is safe and after a third-party impartial professional engineering association commissioned by the Urban Development Bureau has inspected and certified that the improvements pose no threat to public safety. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150513