500 injured as fire hits Taiwan water park party

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, including eight in critical condition. The fire was sparked by an accidental explosion of a colored theatrical powder thrown from the stage in front of about 1,000 people. The powder for the one-time event called "Color Play Asia" ignited along the ground, mainly burning people's lower bodies, said Wang Wei-sheng, a liaison with the New Taipei City fire department command center. Taiwan's Central News Agency reported witnesses as saying the fire at the Formosa Water Park in New Taipei City spread quickly after powder was blown into the air. Taiwan Premier Mao Chih-kuo announced a ban Sunday on parties that use flammable colored powder. A total of 516 people were reported to have burn injuries as of about 11 am Sunday, Wang said, according to AP.