Prosecutors have questioned three officials from the Taipei County fire department in connection with last month's marathon fire at a high-tech complex in Hsichih.
One official was detained yesterday after questioning and another was released after posting NT$100,000 bail. An investigative report into the cause of the blaze has been delayed for almost a month.
The head prosecutor investigating the case, Chen Jui-jen (
Prosecutors suspect all three had accepted bribes from the complex's owners to overlook the fact that the complex had failed to pass public safety tests since 1997.
Hua admitted that over the past three years he had taken some NT$90,000 annually from the complex's management committee and between NT$5,000 and NT$10,000 from individual companies housed in the complex, local media reported yesterday.
In total, Hua had reportedly received more than NT$400,000.
Hsu also admitted that he had received bribe money, but said he had no idea what the money was for, reports said.
Chen Jung-hui said that he had only recently stepped into his position and was unaware of the corruption.
Hua has been detained, Hsu was released on bail, and Chen was released after questioning.
Hua is the first official to be detained by prosecutors in connection with the complex's failure to comply with safety guidelines.
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