TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The gas company that supplied a Taichung mall where an explosion killed five people in February said reports about the incidents were false, CNA reported.

Taichung fire department said a gas explosion caused the blast at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi mall in late March. It said that after 13 on-site inspections and discussions with experts, a panel unanimously concluded this was the cause.

The late-morning explosion on Feb. 13 tore through a mall as contractors worked on the 12th floor. Two visitors from Macau were killed on the first floor by falling debris, and their granddaughter died later from her injuries. Two mall workers were also found dead on the 11th and 12th floors. 

Shin Chung Natural Gas Vice President Chen Hung-chia (陳鴻嘉) told CNA on Wednesday that many media reports about the explosion at the Shin Kong Mistukoshi mall are false, but did not identify which aspects. He emphasized that prosecutors are still investigating the incident and said the truth would be clear soon.

Taichung fire department said that gas leak monitors on the floor where the explosion occurred were turned off. It said this was a mistake according to standard operating procedures, and the responsible party had been fined NT$600,000 (US$18,160) under the Fire Services Act.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi told CNA that it is cooperating with investigations. It said it will take responsibility for any wrongdoing the investigations find it caused.

Also on Wednesday, Taichung City Government Urban Development Director Li Cheng-wei (李正偉) said his department rejected renovation proposals for the mall three times. Li said this was because proposals did not adequately outline safety measures for gas, electricity, and other areas.

Li said renovations can only begin after his department approves a plan and prosecutors give their consent. He said Shin Kong wanted to open some of the mall before all of it was fixed, but safety was prioritized over the company’s wishes.