A fire in the Wufu Street of Xitun District in Taichung City in the early hours of the 7th claimed the lives of a father and his young daughter, drawing attention to fire safety. City councilor Chen Yahui raised questions on the 9th, urging the fire department to enhance public awareness of correct evacuation and safety principles to help people survive in fire emergencies. Fire Chief Sun Fuyou indicated that electrical factors could have been a cause and appealed to the public not to overload electrical devices.
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On the 9th, the Taichung City Council conducted inquiries on police, fire, and environmental sanitation matters. Councilors Chen Yahui, Xiao Longze, Zhang Fenyu, Chen Shuhua, and others expressed concerns about fatal residential fires and called for the fire department to promote proper evacuation principles.
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Chen Yahui mentioned media reports depicting the scene of the fire, with flames and thick smoke billowing from the 8th floor. The images were described as alarming, with the living room, kitchen, and bedroom completely destroyed by the fire. She questioned Fire Chief Sun Fuyou on how to educate people on the correct evacuation and survival principles in the face of a fire and how to strengthen such education.
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Sun Fuyou pointed out that the fire originated on the 8th floor of the building near the TV table in the living room, based on investigations by the fire department’s investigators. He advised the public not to overload electrical devices, meaning not to use high-power-consuming devices on the same circuit simultaneously, unplug unused plugs, regularly clean dust, and avoid accumulation of dirt to prevent fires caused by conductivity.
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Sun Fuyou stated that the fire department would utilize online social networks, media channels, and involve women’s education teams to promote fire safety in communities. In the event of a fire, people should evacuate downward and outward; if doorknobs are hot or there is thick smoke upon opening a door, it is important to close the door. One should seek escape routes in the opposite direction of the fire, and if no other paths are available, seek refuge on a balcony or room farthest from the fire, smoke, and heat, signaling for help from a window which serves as a relatively safe area.
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The fire department reminded people not to use elevators during evacuations, refrain from wasting time searching for wet towels to cover their mouths and noses or collecting belongings, avoid placing plastic bags over their heads, and never hide in the bathroom. Smoke is the primary threat in fires, and the bathroom doors and ceilings are often made of plastic, which can melt in high heat, causing harm from smoke inhalation.