Three people died and eight were injured following a gas explosion in a residential area in Yingge Township (鶯歌), Taipei County, on Sunday night.
The Taipei County fire department was notified at 8:50pm that a fire had broken out in an apartment complex in Yingge Township after the gas explosion.
‘CHIMNEY EFFECT’
Although the fire started on the fifth floor, it quickly spread upwards as a result of the “chimney effect,” billowing black smoke as it spread.
The fire department rescued 10 residents from the burning building.
One of the survivors showed no signs of life after being pulled from the building, but the resident’s heart started beating again on the way to the hospital. Another person also survived after initially being in critical condition.
DEAD ON ARRIVAL
One person died at the scene, while two others died before they arrived at the hospital.
Initial reports pointed to an accidental gas leak that occurred while a resident on the fifth floor was cooking rice porridge.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze is being conducted.
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