TAIWAN, June 29, 2015 (Straits Times): HPI note: The use of thrown colored powder–traditionally part of the Hindu festival of Holi–has gained a following elsewhere in the world, not as part of a religious event, but as one more feature of small or large parties. During Holi, the colored and potentially flammable cornstarch powder is tossed randomly, and posses no threat. But at these parties, the trend is to disperse it all at once, with in this case, disastrous consequences:
The Color Play Asia event at the Formosa Fun Coast waterpark outside Taipei turned hellish for partygoers when a sudden fire erupted seemingly out of nowhere, injuring hundreds, including a Singaporean woman. “This explosion and fire… was caused by the powder spray. It could have been due to the heat of the lights on the stage,” said a spokesman for the New Taipei City fire department.
“Color” events, like last Saturday’s event at the Taipei water park, are gaining in popularity, with more and more of such similar ones taking place around the globe. They typically involve colored powder, known as holi powder (made by mixing corn starch, water and food dye), being thrown onto participants. At the time of the incident in Taipei, the powder was released onto partygoers as they danced in front of a stage.
Corn starch, while normally a harmless, edible substance that is almost inert when it is in a mass, is a highly flammable carbohydrate and burns instantly when it is dispersed into fine particles, which happens when it is blown out during a “color” event. In such cases, the substance will be ignited when it comes into contact with a flame or high heat.