Six firefighters perish in Taoyuan blaze
By Jason Pan / Staff reporter
Jan 21, 2015
Six firefighters, all in their 20s, were killed in Greater Taoyuan
yesterday morning after the bowling alley in which they were battling a blaze
collapsed. All six were found dead when rescuers managed to reach them.
Officials from the Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office announced that an
inquiry would be conducted into the deaths to investigate the cause and
circumstances of the fire, and to determine if there had been any negligence or
dereliction of duty.
The fire broke out early yesterday morning at about 2am at a three-story
building in Sinwu District (新屋). The proprietor operated a bowling alley on the second floor and a
swimming pool on the ground level, with the third floor used as a dormitory for
employees.
The six firemen were on the second floor, near the bowling alley’s counter
area, when a burst of flames erupted at shortly before 3am and the burning
structure collapsed, trapping the firefighters.
“Suddenly, we heard a loud explosion, then the burning metal-sheet roofing
caved in. It was terrible, because we knew some firefighters had gone inside to
battle the fire,” an eyewitness was quoted as saying.
The bodies of the six firefighters were transported to the Sinwu Branch of
Taoyuan General Hospital
Two civilians, including the proprietor of the building, surnamed Liu (劉), were pulled from the fire and
sustained minor injuries.
A total of 104 firefighters employing 36 fire engines and other vehicles
were dispatched to the blaze.
Officials including Premier Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國), Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) and Minister of the Interior Chen
Wei-zen (陳威仁) sent condolences and paid tribute
to the firefighters for their sacrifice in the line of duty.
Cheng said his government would seek the maximum compensation payment
possible for their dependents according to official regulations, which would be
about NT$19 million (US$600,000) per family.
Taoyuan Fire Department Chief Hu Ying-ta (胡英達) said the building’s operating permit,
received in 1994, approved the facility’s swimming pool business and the second
floor for residential use.
“The bowling alley did not have a permit, so it was operating illegally.
The third floor is also an illegal add-on structure,” Hu said, adding that the
building passed a fire safety inspection last year.
After finding out the bowling alley had been operating illegally for 20
years, Cheng was incensed, mandating government officials to make inspections
to identify all illegal buildings in Taoyuan within 10 days.
Meanwhile, a number of questions were asked following the incident,
including whether the firefighters were equipped with inadequate protective and
communication equipment; why there was a lack of accountability among
government officials regarding the existence of illegal structures; and why no
action had been taken against many known illegal businesses.
Commenting on the incident, the National Association for Firefighters’
Rights (NAFR) said it highlighted a widespread lack of personnel and adequate
equipment among firefighting squads across the nation.
NAFR secretary-general Cheng Ya-ling (鄭雅菱) said firefighters could benefit from the use of
infrared imaging equipment, such as thermographic cameras, which can be used to
establish the topography and temperature of a fire prior to entry.
Structure of the Lead：
WHO-six firefighters
WHEN-Jan 21, 2015
WHAT-Six firefighters were killed in blaze
WHY-the place in which they were battling a blaze collapsed
WHERE-the bowling alley in Taoyuan
HOW-not given
Keywords：
5. negligence 疏忽
6. dormitory 宿舍
7. collapsed 倒塌
8. proprietor 老闆
9. sacrifice 犧牲
10. compensation 賠償金
11. inspections 檢查
12. accountability 問責
13. thermographic 熱成像
14. topography 地形
WHEN-Jan 21, 2015
WHAT-Six firefighters were killed in blaze
WHY-the place in which they were battling a blaze collapsed
WHERE-the bowling alley in Taoyuan
HOW-not given
Keywords：
1. bowling alley 保齡球館
2. blaze 火焰
3. inquiry 查詢
4. circumstances 情況
5. negligence 疏忽
5. negligence 疏忽
6. dormitory 宿舍
7. collapsed 倒塌
8. proprietor 老闆
9. sacrifice 犧牲
10. compensation 賠償金
11. inspections 檢查
12. accountability 問責
13. thermographic 熱成像
14. topography 地形
