TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — A Director at the National Fire Agency under the Ministry of Interior (NFA, MOI, 內政部消防署), Cheng Chih-chiang (鄭志強) revealed an initial investigation of the recent explosion at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi (新光三越) in Taichung, on Friday (Feb. 14) that a vendor smelled gas 20 minutes before the explosion, realizing the construction company used a grinder to cut a gas pipeline. Cheng indicated that the renovation led to the explosion.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) visited Taichung on Friday (Feb. 14) to receive a briefing on the incident and subsequent actions. He emphasized the need for continued cooperation between central and local governments to prevent future accidents. Accompanied by Minister of Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) and others, Cho thanked first responders for their swift reaction.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民主進步黨) legislator Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純) urged a thorough review of department store regulations, demanding stricter oversight of project applications. Meanwhile, DPP legislator Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) noted that the investigation report remains inconclusive but highlighted the operator's failure to apply for the project as required, suggesting the Legislative Yuan (立法院) might consider amending the law for stricter penalties.
Police interviewed 26 individuals on Feb 13 night, including workers, department store employees, and Shin Chung Natural Gas Co., Ltd. (欣中天然氣股份有限公司) staff, as witnesses, and later released 16 of them after further questioning at the Taichung District Prosecutors Office (台中地地檢署).
