SINGAPORE — In the wake of the fire at the Taiwan water theme park last Saturday (June 27), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) are currently working with the organiser of Colour Run to ensure the safety of its coloured powder before granting an approval for the event, the SPF and SCDF said in a joint media release today (June 30).

The SPF confirmed that it has received applications for the Colour Run event, and together with SCDF, are studying the Taiwan Fire incident and working with the event organiser on the use of coloured powder at the event.

“We will assess all safety aspects associated with the use of coloured powder, before granting any approval for the Colour Run or other similar events,” the statement said.

The blaze in Taiwan broke out at the Formosa Fun Coast water park on the outskirts of the capital, Taipei, and left more than 500 people injured and one dead. Among those injured is a 21-year-old Singaporean woman Megan Loy, who has since returned and is in Singapore General Hospital. More than 400 people are still hospitalised, including 200 whose conditions remain serious, Taipei city officials said.

Investigators in Taiwan are focusing on the possibility that a cigarette butt or spark caused of the blaze.

The five-kilometre Color Run sees race participants doused with multi-coloured powder along the way, and culminates in a massive party at the finish line. Singapore has hosted two editions of the Color Run since 2013, and this year’s race is slated to take place over the weekend of Aug 22 and 23. KHAIRUL AMRI MOHD SIDIK