Fuhsing High School Lab Accident: 7 People Including Teacher Not Prosecuted After Student Injury
A lab accident at Taipei's private Fuhsing High School in May of last year resulted in student injuries. Parents pressed charges against 7 individuals, including the principal and teachers at the time. However, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office decided not to prosecute the seven individuals after a settlement was reached and the complaint was withdrawn.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 12:29
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(CNA, Taipei, 14th) A laboratory accident occurred at Taipei's private Fuhsing High School in May of last year, causing injuries to students from flames. The parents filed a complaint against seven people, including the then-principal and teachers. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office determined that the complainant had reached a settlement with the seven individuals and withdrew the complaint, and that there was insufficient evidence of a crime, leading to a decision of non-prosecution today.
According to the investigation by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, the case involved three students: the one operating the lighter, the one pouring alcohol, and the one who was burned.
The students' parents alleged that on the afternoon of May 28 last year, a teacher surnamed Lin was supervising a science experiment in a laboratory on the 5th floor of Fuhsing High School and allowed students to continue working during break time. One student used a lighter to burn baking soda and powdered sugar, while another student poured alcohol nearby.
During the process, flames were accidentally produced, engulfing the victim student and causing second to third-degree burns on the face, neck, and right hand, accounting for 12% of the total body surface area. The student suffered a loss of sweat gland function in the skin, about 5% of the total body surface area, and hypertrophic scars on the face, neck, and right upper limb.
The mother of the victim believed that the seven individuals—Teacher Lin, then-Principal Ko, Equipment Section Officer Liu, Vice Principal Chang, Dean of Student Affairs Liu, and Teachers Huang and Shen—were negligent in controlling the flammable and explosive materials used in the experiment and in safety management. She filed a complaint against the seven for offenses including aggravated assault by negligence and negligent destruction of property with other explosives under the Criminal Code.
Additionally, the two students who burned the baking soda and sugar with a lighter and poured alcohol were also accused of negligent injury, which is being handled by the juvenile court.
The prosecutor stated that the part of the accusation against Teacher Lin and the other six for aggravated assault by negligence is a complaint-based offense. The complainant reached a settlement with Lin and the others and submitted a statement to withdraw the complaint. By law, the seven were given a non-prosecution disposition.
Regarding the offense of negligent destruction of property with other explosives, the prosecutor stated that Principal Ko and the other five were administrative staff of the school and were not the supervising teachers during the experiment, nor were they responsible for managing the flammable materials used. Teacher Lin and Officer Liu could not have foreseen that the students would continue the experiment during break time. The fire caused by the two students did not spread and did not constitute a public danger. Therefore, Teacher Lin and the other six were given a non-prosecution disposition. (Editor: Hsiao Po-wen) 1150514
According to the investigation by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, the case involved three students: the one operating the lighter, the one pouring alcohol, and the one who was burned.
The students' parents alleged that on the afternoon of May 28 last year, a teacher surnamed Lin was supervising a science experiment in a laboratory on the 5th floor of Fuhsing High School and allowed students to continue working during break time. One student used a lighter to burn baking soda and powdered sugar, while another student poured alcohol nearby.
During the process, flames were accidentally produced, engulfing the victim student and causing second to third-degree burns on the face, neck, and right hand, accounting for 12% of the total body surface area. The student suffered a loss of sweat gland function in the skin, about 5% of the total body surface area, and hypertrophic scars on the face, neck, and right upper limb.
The mother of the victim believed that the seven individuals—Teacher Lin, then-Principal Ko, Equipment Section Officer Liu, Vice Principal Chang, Dean of Student Affairs Liu, and Teachers Huang and Shen—were negligent in controlling the flammable and explosive materials used in the experiment and in safety management. She filed a complaint against the seven for offenses including aggravated assault by negligence and negligent destruction of property with other explosives under the Criminal Code.
Additionally, the two students who burned the baking soda and sugar with a lighter and poured alcohol were also accused of negligent injury, which is being handled by the juvenile court.
The prosecutor stated that the part of the accusation against Teacher Lin and the other six for aggravated assault by negligence is a complaint-based offense. The complainant reached a settlement with Lin and the others and submitted a statement to withdraw the complaint. By law, the seven were given a non-prosecution disposition.
Regarding the offense of negligent destruction of property with other explosives, the prosecutor stated that Principal Ko and the other five were administrative staff of the school and were not the supervising teachers during the experiment, nor were they responsible for managing the flammable materials used. Teacher Lin and Officer Liu could not have foreseen that the students would continue the experiment during break time. The fire caused by the two students did not spread and did not constitute a public danger. Therefore, Teacher Lin and the other six were given a non-prosecution disposition. (Editor: Hsiao Po-wen) 1150514