Cigarettes or spark suspected in Taiwan fire that burned 500

Source: AP

By RALPH JENNINGS

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Investigators in Taiwan were focusing Monday on the possibility that a cigarette butt or spark caused the blaze that burned more than 500 people at a weekend water park party when colored powder sprayed from the stage caught fire.

More than 400 people remained hospitalized, 200 in serious condition, city officials said. Taiwan's Central News Agency reported one death: a 20-year-old with burns to 90 percent of her body who was taken off life support with her family's consent.

Police recommended criminal charges against the organizer of Saturday's party, as well as two technicians, at the Formosa Fun Coast theme park in suburban Taipei.

"It's still not clear what happened, but there were a number of people smoking and the weather was warm," New Taipei City news department head Lin Chieh-yu said. Temperatures around greater Taipei topped 36 degrees Celsius (96.8F) before the party.

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Police investigators inspect the stage area after an accidental explosion during a music concert at the Formosa Water Park in New Taipei City, Taiwan, early Sunday, June 28, 2015. A fire on a music stage spread into a crowd of spectators at a Saturday night party at a Taiwan water park, injuring more than 500 people, authorities said Sunday. (AP Photo) TAIWAN OUT

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