Social Housing Project Fire, Lu Hsiu-yen: Ministry of Interior, as Public Safety Authority, Should Set an Example
A fire broke out at the "Xinpinhoushi" social housing project in Beitun District, Taichung City. Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen stated that the Ministry of Interior, as the national public safety authority, should set an example in construction site management. The fire burned for 14 hours, and the city has ordered a halt to work and is investigating the damages.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 11:42
- 🔍 Collected: May 14, 2026 at 12:02 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 13:16 (1h 14m after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Chao Li-yen, Taichung, 14th) A fire occurred on May 13 at the "Xinpinhoushi" social housing project in Beitun District, Taichung City. Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen stated today that the fire burned for 14 hours, and the Taichung City Fire Department responded to the disaster until late at night. She believes that the Ministry of Interior, as the national public safety authority, should set an example in construction site management.
At today's regular session of the Taichung City Council, Kuomintang City Councilor Chang Liao Nai-lun questioned the fire, mentioning that nearby residents complained about a pungent odor after the fire and asked if relevant units had proposed compensation plans.
Fire Chief Sun Fu-you stated that the fire department received the report at 9:30 AM yesterday, and the fire was extinguished at 11:37 PM last night. Currently, due to high temperatures at the fire scene, the fire department has dispatched personnel to spray water to cool it down.
Lu Hsiu-yen stated that the fire burned for 14 hours. Taichung City responded to the disaster immediately and issued an environmental warning, while also ordering a halt to work. The construction unit is the Ministry of Interior, which is the national public safety authority. She believes that the Ministry of Interior was a bit slow in handling this matter, as it seemed no personnel were dispatched, nor was there contact with the Taichung City Government.
Lu Hsiu-yen believes that the Ministry of Interior should set an example in construction site management. "If a construction site built by themselves can have a major fire, how can we ask local governments or the private sector to manage construction sites well?" The city is currently assessing the damage to Taichung City caused by the fire.
Urban Development Bureau Director Li Cheng-wei pointed out that due to violations of the Building Act, a stop-work order was issued. If architects or contractors are involved, they will be referred for disciplinary action. For future resumption of work, a third-party impartial engineer unit must submit a structural safety assessment report, and the Urban Development Bureau will confirm it on-site with the third-party engineer before work can resume. The Taichung City Housing and Urban Renewal Center will initiate a comprehensive inspection and assessment of relevant construction sites if necessary.
The National Housing and Urban Regeneration Center issued a press release on May 13 stating that during the support dismantling operations at the "Xinpinhoushi" social housing project, a fire was accidentally ignited due to careless use of acetylene cutting. The project unit immediately activated an emergency response mechanism, notified the fire department for assistance, and reported to relevant units at the first instance. At the same time, personnel from the Central Region Urban Infrastructure Engineering Branch of the National Land Management Agency also arrived at the site to supervise. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150514
At today's regular session of the Taichung City Council, Kuomintang City Councilor Chang Liao Nai-lun questioned the fire, mentioning that nearby residents complained about a pungent odor after the fire and asked if relevant units had proposed compensation plans.
Fire Chief Sun Fu-you stated that the fire department received the report at 9:30 AM yesterday, and the fire was extinguished at 11:37 PM last night. Currently, due to high temperatures at the fire scene, the fire department has dispatched personnel to spray water to cool it down.
Lu Hsiu-yen stated that the fire burned for 14 hours. Taichung City responded to the disaster immediately and issued an environmental warning, while also ordering a halt to work. The construction unit is the Ministry of Interior, which is the national public safety authority. She believes that the Ministry of Interior was a bit slow in handling this matter, as it seemed no personnel were dispatched, nor was there contact with the Taichung City Government.
Lu Hsiu-yen believes that the Ministry of Interior should set an example in construction site management. "If a construction site built by themselves can have a major fire, how can we ask local governments or the private sector to manage construction sites well?" The city is currently assessing the damage to Taichung City caused by the fire.
Urban Development Bureau Director Li Cheng-wei pointed out that due to violations of the Building Act, a stop-work order was issued. If architects or contractors are involved, they will be referred for disciplinary action. For future resumption of work, a third-party impartial engineer unit must submit a structural safety assessment report, and the Urban Development Bureau will confirm it on-site with the third-party engineer before work can resume. The Taichung City Housing and Urban Renewal Center will initiate a comprehensive inspection and assessment of relevant construction sites if necessary.
The National Housing and Urban Regeneration Center issued a press release on May 13 stating that during the support dismantling operations at the "Xinpinhoushi" social housing project, a fire was accidentally ignited due to careless use of acetylene cutting. The project unit immediately activated an emergency response mechanism, notified the fire department for assistance, and reported to relevant units at the first instance. At the same time, personnel from the Central Region Urban Infrastructure Engineering Branch of the National Land Management Agency also arrived at the site to supervise. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150514