EBC

In this representation taken from video by Taiwan's EBC, firefighters conflict a blaze astatine a gathering successful Kaohsiung, successful confederate Taiwan connected Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. A occurrence engulfed a 13-story gathering overnight successful confederate Taiwan, the islands semi-official Central News Agency reported Thursday. (EBC via AP )

TAIPEI – A occurrence engulfed a 13-story gathering overnight Thursday successful confederate Taiwan, sidesplitting 14 radical and injuring 51.

The gathering caught connected occurrence astir 3 a.m., occurrence section officials successful the metropolis of Kaohsiung said. Firefighters were conducting hunt and rescue efforts into the afternoon.

While the occurrence has been enactment out, the little levels of the gathering were wholly blackened.

A spokesperson for Kaohsiung's occurrence section said 14 radical showed nary signs of life, though successful Taiwan authoritative confirmation of a decease tin lone beryllium made successful the hospital. 51 radical had been taken to the infirmary for attraction of their injuries.

The blaze was “extremely fierce,” and destroyed galore floors of the building, according to a connection from the occurrence department.

Firefighters are unsure of the root of the fire, but noted flames burned astir intensely wherever a batch of clutter had been piled up.

Eyewitnesses told section media that they had heard the dependable of an detonation astir 3 a.m.

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The gathering is astir 40 years old, according to an authoritative statement, with shops successful the little levels and apartments above.

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