TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 職業安全衛生署) revealed on Friday (Dec. 20) that the blaze stemmed from inadequate fire management practices. A fire erupted in PX Mart (全聯) storage in Taichung's Dadu District (大肚區) on Thursday, resulting in nine fatalities and eight hospitalizations.
Wan Jung-fu (萬榮富), the deputy director-general of OSHA, emphasized the importance of following standard procedures during factory welding. He stated that Welding must be conducted away from flammable materials and surrounded by fire blankets.
Initial investigations by the fire department indicate that sparks from third-floor welding operations ignited a mixture of paint in the basement, although the exact cause remains under investigation. Wan pointed out that the warehouse's high-ceiling design might have contributed to a chimney effect, exacerbating the fire.
He noted that the Taichung City Government conducts random inspections during construction, and the PX Mart project was in its later stages, which should have made it safer than typical construction sites. Violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法) can result in fines of up to NT$300,000 for facility regulation breaches and NT$150,000 for failing to disclose hazards.
