TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — A catastrophic fire tore through a warehouse in Taichung's (台中) Dadu District (大肚區) on Thursday (Dec. 19), leaving a trail of devastation with nine lives lost and seven others injured. In a chilling revelation, the Taichung Fire Bureau director-general identified the cause as sparks from welding work, which ignited highly flammable materials, triggering the deadly inferno. Sun Fu-You (孫福佑) explained that sparks from welding on the third floor fell through stairwell gaps, igniting a mixture of paint and gasoline on the basement floor. He noted that authorities are examining evidence to determine the exact cause and whether human error played a role.
Prosecutor Hsiao Yung-chin (蕭擁溱) indicated that high temperatures have hindered a clear assessment, necessitating further investigation. He confirmed the need for additional verification as the scene remains obscured by heat damage. The fire occurred at a warehouse on Shatian Road (沙田路), and firefighters recovered the last five victims around 7:40 p.m. All were found deceased. The Taichung City Government (台中市政府) announced plans to impose fines under the "Building Act" (建築法) and the "Occupational Safety and Health Act" (職業安全衛生法). Authorities ordered the suspension of work, mandating safety improvements before operations could resume. The city's Environmental Protection Bureau (台中市府環保局) will impose additional penalties for air pollution violations.
PX Mart (全聯) confirmed that the building used high-density PS boards and PU foam for insulation, without any unauthorized styrofoam. A construction company representative, surnamed Wu (吳), clarified that only necessary insulation materials were stored, as the site will serve as a cold storage facility. The company pledged full responsibility and promised support for affected families.
