Investigators suspect cigarettes or a spark caused the Taiwan fire that burned 498 people
Investigators are looking into the possibility that the fire at a Taiwan water park party on Saturday was caused by a cigarette butt or a spark. The blaze, which sparked when colored powder sprayed from the stage caught on fire, burned 498 people and killed one person. Police are also considering pressing criminal charges against the organizer of the party and the two technicians responsible for the show, as they were previously informed that the colored powder was flammable, especially in hot temperatures. The park was ordered to close after the fire. Of the 498 burned, The Associated Press reports that "202 were badly injured, 236 were lightly or moderately injured, and 60 others were unclassified."Becca Stanek
A free daily email with the day’s biggest news and analysis – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.