Cigarette butt sparks explosion, causing over 1 million baht damage
A dramatic explosion rocked a busy intersection when a pickup truck loaded with paint cans burst into flames after the driver inadvertently discarded a cigarette butt. This incident, which caused damage exceeding 1 million baht, occurred in Ban Khai, Rayong province.
Yesterday, December 17, at 5.30pm, police officer Chanatchai Wongsrivichit received reports of a pickup truck explosion at the Ban Khai intersection on Rayong-Ban Bueng Road. Upon arrival, the fire department and rescue teams found a grey Toyota pickup truck with registration number กต-7634 from Phetchaburi engulfed in flames.
Fortunately, no one was trapped inside the vehicle, and the fire was swiftly tackled, taking firefighters approximately 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze.
The investigation revealed that hundreds of paint cans loaded in the truck had exploded, leaving them torn apart. The driver managed to escape unharmed by jumping out of the vehicle.
Witnesses at the scene, who were stuck at the traffic lights, expressed shock at the loud explosion, with some motorists hastily exiting their vehicles in fear.
Noppachai Ladawongdee, the 52 year old driver of the truck, recounted that he was transporting 240 spray paint cans and various hardware items, covered with a tarpaulin. While driving, he had opened his window to smoke a cigarette and carelessly tossed the butt away.
He was unaware that it had landed at the back of the truck until he noticed smoke and flames through his side mirror as he approached the intersection. In a desperate attempt to extinguish the fire, he pulled over and tried to find water but the fire rapidly spread, causing multiple explosions from the heated paint cans. Thankfully, he managed to leave the vehicle in time, avoiding potential injuries.
The combined value of the paint cans and hardware materials exceeded 1 million baht (US$29,215), marking a significant loss for the driver, who admitted to his negligence. Police have called in Noppachai for questioning, reported KhaoSod.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was likely triggered by the cigarette butt, which landed on the tarpaulin, subsequently igniting the paint cans. However, further examination of the vehicle will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the fire.
