|
Nine die, 12 hurt in Taichung pub fire
FIRE SHOW:The blaze, likely caused by a dancer brandishing
a torch, has prompted calls to ban indoor fire shows at bars and restaurants and
might lead to tighter inspections
By Rich Chang / Staff Reporter, with CNA
Firefighters battle a fire that gutted a pub
in Greater Taichung, killing nine and injuring 12 early yesterday.
Photo: AFP, Taichung City Fire Bureau
Nine people were killed and 12 injured in a pub fire in Greater Taichung early
yesterday morning, in one of the nation’s deadliest blazes in recent years.
Greater Taichung Prosecutor Wu Tso-yen (吳祚延) said a dancer at the ALA Pub on
Jhongsing Street set fire to the ceiling with his torch during a performance,
triggering the blaze at about 1:30am.
A survivor surnamed Chen (陳) said that when the ceiling caught fire, it caused a
fireball that the audience initially thought was part of the show.
The bar was engulfed in less than three minutes, he said, adding that he had
been sitting on the second floor near a narrow staircase before rushing
downstairs soon after the fire broke out. Many others sitting on the second
floor close to the stage failed to escape, he said.
The fire department said the fire was so intense that temperatures likely went
up to 400°C, adding that at such temperatures, exposure for one to two minutes
would cause serious burns. It took firefighters about one hour to put out the
blaze.
The nine victims — five men and four women — were all found on the second floor.
All of them had been overcome by fumes and had asphyxiated, police said.
Investigators and families of the deceased were able to identify the bodies
using remnants of their clothes and DNA tests. All the victims have been
identified.
More than 70 people had been packed into the small bar, which occupies a floor
area of 30 ping (99.17m2).
Eleven of the 12 injured were not seriously hurt and were discharged from
hospital after treatment, while one remained in hospital, where her condition
was described as non-life threatening.
Wu said prosecutors had brought the 28-year-old performer, Chu Chuan-yi (朱傳毅),
back to the pub to recreate his performance to help with the investigation.
A torch likely caused the fire, Wu said. The owner of the bar and bar employees
were also being questioned by police.
The club has passed 21 safety inspections in the past five years, the most
recent of which was carried out last month, according to the fire department.
Greater Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) said that the city government “must find
an answer” as to why the tragedy occurred even though the bar had passed the
safety inspections.
The city government bans fire shows at local restaurants and hotels, but not
bars, and now plans to apply the ban to other venues, including bars, Greater
Taichung Deputy Mayor Hsiao Chia-chi (蕭家旗) said.
Government watchdog officials said they would launch an investigation to
determine if the government has failed in its responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the Taipei City Government said it would immediately conduct safety
inspections of bars and other entertainment venues in the wake of the fire.
Taipei Deputy Mayor Chen Wei-jen (陳威仁) said owners of pubs, karaoke lounges,
dance clubs and similar establishments served with improvement notices would
have to bring their facilities into line with safety standards within a
specified time.
The inspections will check that indoor public spaces are equipped with
appropriate fire fighting equipment and that they have emergency exit routes,
fire doors and fire escape ladders, the fire prevention division of Taipei City
Fire Department said.
|
