Taichung Xingzhong Street Fire Kills 6; Landlord's 7-Year Sentence Upheld

A fire four years ago in a building on Xingzhong Street in Taichung resulted in six deaths and six injuries. The landlord, a woman surnamed Chuang, was sentenced to seven years in prison in the first trial for public endangerment due to the accumulation of recycled materials and other debris. Following an appeal, the Taichung Branch of the High Court rejected the appeal today, and the case remains subject to further appeal. The seven-story building on Xingzhong Street in Central District, Taichung, was set on fire on March 6, 2022, causing six deaths and six injuries. Prosecutors found that Chuang had purchased the apartment, added floors up to the ninth, and divided it into 41 rental units, while stacking scavenged recyclables in stairwells, hallways, and balconies from the first to the ninth floors, making it difficult for tenants to pass. In February 2022, a man surnamed Cheng rented a rooftop unit on the eighth floor. After moving in, he fell behind on rent, damaged door locks, allowed hot water to run, and kept a pet sheep that defecated everywhere, leading to frequent arguments with Chuang. On the morning of March 6 of that year, Chuang demanded Cheng move out. Dissatisfied, Cheng went to the second floor and used a lighter to ignite trash bags near the elevator. The fire spread to the debris Chuang had piled in the hallway, leading to an uncontrollable blaze that killed six and injured six. Following the investigation, Cheng was indicted for murder, and Chuang was indicted for violating the Waste Disposal Act and public endangerment under the Criminal Code. The Taichung District Court sentenced Cheng to life imprisonment with permanent deprivation of civil rights in December 2024, and sentenced Chuang to seven years in prison for public endangerment by obstructing escape routes and violating the Waste Disposal Act. Chuang's appeal was rejected by the Taichung Branch of the High Court today. Cheng's case is still being processed by the court.