Cause of 5 deaths in Taoyuan fire determined, blaze source unclear

Taoyuan, Aug. 31 (CNA) A woman and four children found dead in a fire in Taoyuan early Sunday died of asphyxiation, while an investigation into the cause of the fire continues, the Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office said in a statement released that evening.

Prosecutors and medical examiners determined that the woman and four children whose bodies were found at the fire scene in Taoyuan's Zhongli District died of respiratory failure from fire or smoke inhalation and subsequent suffocation.

The prosecutors issued the autopsy certificates to the family of the woman, a 35-year-old mother surnamed Huang (黃), and her 10-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son, and those of a 10-year-old boy and his 9-year-old sister, who were in Huang's home for a sleepover.

An autopsy certificate is issued when a death is not by natural causes and requires prosecutors' involvement to determine the cause of death, and the families need the document to make funeral arrangements.

The Association of Victims' Support's local chapter in Taoyuan also visited the two families and offered NT$5,000 (US$163) each, the prosecutors' office said, noting the association will also help with accommodation.

The fire at Huang's home on the top floor of a three-story residence made of reinforced concrete on Long'an Street in Zhongli was reported to the fire service at 5:31 a.m., according to the city's fire department.

The first crews arrived at 5:40 a.m., and the flames were brought under control at 6:08 a.m. and fully extinguished at 6:17 a.m.

Prosecutors assigned to the fire investigation have visited the fire scene and instructed police and firefighters on collecting evidence, the office said.