Fire engulfs Chiang Mai market amid heavy rain and flooding

A fire broke out at the bustling Kad Luang market in Chiang Mai, consuming four commercial units amidst heavy rain and rising water levels from the Ping River. The blaze started around 1am yesterday, September 24, prompting a swift response from local police and emergency services.

Police received the emergency call at the Chiang Mai Provincial Police Radio Centre and quickly coordinated with the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation officials. Firefighters arrived at the scene, a three-storey commercial building, to find thick smoke and intense flames engulfing the second and third floors.

Fire engines from nearby areas were called in for support and the Provincial Electricity Authority was contacted to temporarily cut off power to the building.

Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours before bringing it under control. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities reported. The fire damaged approximately four commercial units, with the extent of the financial loss still being assessed by officials.

An eyewitness described the harrowing moment when the fire broke out.

“I was asleep at home when I heard a loud explosion. Shortly after, I heard people shouting that there was a fire. When I went outside, I saw flames and smoke spreading rapidly to nearby units, so I ran out immediately.”

Preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit might have caused the fire. Police are continuing their inquiries to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Adding to the chaos, continuous rainfall and rising water levels in the Ping River have started to cause flooding in parts of Chiang Mai, particularly areas adjacent to the river. Some parts of the city are already experiencing flooding as the river overflows its banks.

In related news, residents near the Thai Plastic and Chemicals Plc plant in Rayong’s Mueang district have been urged to steer clear of toxic smoke following a fire sparked by a gas leak. The drama unfolded at the company’s facility within the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.