Taichung Department Store Explosion: Gas Leak Confirmed as Cause

Investigation Concludes, Highlighting Negligence and Devastating Consequences in Taiwan.

Taichung, Taiwan – An official fire investigation report has confirmed that a gas leak was the cause of the devastating explosion at the Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store last month, resulting in five fatalities.

The Taichung Fire Bureau, in a brief statement released today, announced the conclusion of its investigation into the February 13th blast. The bureau specified that the explosion was triggered by a gas leak but did not release the full report, stating it would be submitted to prosecutors for further examination and potential legal action.

Key evidence gathered at the scene included cigarette butts, electrical wires, a gas pipe, and a circular saw. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the gas leak likely stemmed from an internal project within the department store.

The department store had engaged Shin Chung Natural Gas Co. to shut off the main gas supply due to planned layout changes. However, it's suspected that residual gas remained in the branch pipes, which were not purged before construction began.

According to sources, the accumulated gas ignited when a grinder, used to cut the pipes, created sparks, thus causing the explosion.

Prosecutors are currently investigating the incident as a case of negligent homicide, negligence resulting in injuries, and public endangerment.

The explosion occurred on the 12th floor of the Taichung department store, which was undergoing construction and closed to the public at the time. Video footage captured the catastrophic blast, showing debris being ejected from the building and scattering onto the streets below.

Tragically, the victims included a family of seven from Macau. The grandparents lost their lives in the explosion, and a two-year-old girl, initially in critical condition, later succumbed to her injuries after being airlifted back to Macau, bringing the total death toll to five.