Taichung department store ordered to suspend operations after fatal explosion

Taichung, Feb. 13 (CNA) Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) said Thursday she has directed the operator of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in the city to suspend operations after a gas explosion that morning caused four deaths and injured 30.

Making the announcement after an emergency response meeting, Lu said the department store will only be allowed to resume business after passing a safety inspection.

To facilitate rescue efforts, police imposed traffic controls around the department store in Situn District, according to Lu.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation by prosecutors, she said.

Meanwhile, Taichung Fire Bureau Chief Sun Fu-you (孫福佑) said that fire investigators entered the department store and determined that the blast occurred at the food court on the 12th floor of the department store, where renovation work had been taking place.

In addition, Sun said that according to prosecutors, on-site staff told them during questioning they were adjusting sales counters on the 11th and 12th floors and the explosion occurred on the 12th floor where counter dismantling work was being carried out.

A preliminary investigation showed that there were no explosives or combustible dust at the scene and no fire safety equipment on site, Sun noted, adding that the explosion appeared to have been caused by gas.

Asked whether anyone had fallen from the 12th floor of the building, Sun said that two of the four deceased were discovered on the 11th and 12th floors while the other two were found on the first floor sidewalk. No one fell from the 12th floor, he added.

Sun said that the city government will issue a fine of NT$600,000 (US$18,283) to the department store for violations of the Fire Services Act, a fine of up to NT$300,000 for failure to apply for a work permit in violation of the Building Act and it could face a fine of NT$300,000 for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.