Cigarettes or Spark Suspected in Taiwan Fire That Burned 500

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

In this screen grab taken from UGC by Apple Daily Taiwan, concert goers run as a fire starts at the Formosa Water Park in New Taipei City, Taiwan, Saturday, June 27, 2015. UCG by Apple Daily Taiwan via AP

TAIPEI, Taiwan—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.

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