HURC to Demolish, Rebuild Taichung Social Housing if Structure Unsafe After Fire

(CNA, by Kao Hua-chien, Taipei, 21st) Following a recent fire at the "Xinping Haoshi" social housing project in Taichung, the National Housing and Urban Regeneration Center (HURC) stated today that it has commissioned a third-party institution, the "Taichung Society of Structural Engineers," to assess the structural safety. Once the report is available, if there are any safety concerns with the structure, HURC will demand the contractor to completely demolish and rebuild the damaged areas.

A fire broke out on the 13th at the "Xinping Haoshi" social housing construction site in Taichung's Beitun District. Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen recently stated that the Ministry of the Interior, as the national authority for public safety, should set an example in construction site management. The Taichung City Government has imposed a fine of NT$5 million under the Air Pollution Control Act and continues to monitor the environment.

In a press release today, HURC stated that safety is a non-negotiable bottom line for social housing. To demonstrate its commitment to quality in public works, HURC has commissioned the third-party "Taichung Society of Structural Engineers" to conduct a structural safety assessment. It has also ordered the main contractor to halt work and will pursue accountability and payment deductions according to the contract.

HURC said that once the assessment report is released, any part of the structure with safety concerns will be required to be completely demolished and rebuilt by the contractor, ensuring the delivery of a safe and earthquake-resistant social housing project to the public.

HURC stated that it immediately established an emergency response team after the incident. Guided by the principle of "safety first, defense priority," it implemented emergency measures such as high-standard controls, activating the first phase of temporary steel pipe shoring, 24-hour safety monitoring, and a rigorous review of the earth-retaining support system.

HURC also expressed its sincerest apologies again for the odor and dust generated during the smoldering fire, which disturbed the daily lives and environmental quality of nearby residents. After the fire, HURC immediately supervised the main contractor to form a "Neighborhood Environmental Service Team." Starting from the 15th, this team has been proactively assisting affected residents with post-disaster environmental and road cleanup, washing building exteriors, and restoring public areas by cleaning up dust.

HURC said that to ensure the safety of all construction projects and prevent future incidents, it has collaborated with the National Land Management Agency, Ministry of the Interior, to officially launch a comprehensive "Work Safety and Disaster Prevention System Safety Review" starting today for all 12 central government-led social housing projects currently under construction in Taichung City.