Flash Fire Scorches Hundreds At Taiwan Water Park
TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 27 (UPI) — At least 200 people were hurt Saturday — nearly half of them seriously — after a sudden fire erupted at a water park in Taiwan, officials said.
The flames started at a crowded water park during a concert in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei. Fire officials said it’s believed that some colored powder that was sprayed onto a large group of people somehow ignited.
The Formosa Water Park in the city’s Bali district was hosting a “color play” party Saturday, which featured the concert.
More than 80 people received serious injuries and some had burns over 40 percent of their bodies, officials said. BBC News reported that 215 people were injured, in total.
Authorities said the accident could have been far worse, as about a thousand people were near the stage when the blaze started.
“Our initial understanding is this explosion and fire … was caused by the powder spray. It could have been due to the heat of the lights on the stage,” fire officials said in the BBC News report.
“It started on the left side of the stage. At the beginning I thought it was part of the special effects of the party but then I realized there was something wrong and people started screaming and running,” one witness said.
Taiwan has received criticism in recent years over multiple deadly fires that some say resulted from poor construction and failing to enforce fire and safety codes.
Like Us on Facebook for more stories from GephardtDaily.com
