Last Monday (Aug 13) nine people died and were 15 injured when a fire broke out in a government-run Ministry of Health and Welfare Taipei Hospital in New Taipei City.
The fire started on the seventh floor of the Taipei Hospital at 04.30 am in a room for patients with chronic or long-term illnesses. Fire officials believe it was likely caused by an electrical failure in a life support system.
There were 32 patients and 10 nurses on the floor when the blaze started, a firefighter said. It was extinguished within an hour and patients were transferred to other hospitals.
The hospital said patients, nurses and other caregivers are among the dead. Some medical workers helped patients escape, while others climbed to the roof to be evacuated by fire service hydraulic platforms.
The New North District Inspection Office, the police force in the city’s Weifu district, has started an investigation.
Image shows Firefighting operations at the incident. Photo courtesy of Taiwan Fire Brigade.
Subscribe to International Fire Fighter today for FREE!