Fatal house fire in Nakhon Si Thammarat claims homeowner’s life

A fatal house fire in Nakhon Si Thammarat has claimed the life of a 50 year old homeowner. The incident, believed to be caused by an electrical short circuit, saw the man escape the flames only to succumb to smoke inhalation.

Police Inspector Sompong Khongkaew from Thung Yai Police Station reported the incident at 11pm yesterday, June 5. The fire broke out in a single-story house in Prik Subdistrict, Thung Yai District. Firefighters, along with paramedics from Thung Yai Hospital and volunteers from Pracha Ruamjai Foundation, responded promptly.

Upon arriving at the scene, authorities found the blaze concentrated in the bedroom, causing significant damage to the room’s contents. Tragically, the homeowner, 50 year old Pairoj, was discovered 10 meters from the house. His body, drenched and dressed in a blue sports shirt and navy sweatpants, showed signs of severe smoke inhalation, a relative recounted.

“It was a horrific sight.”

The relative was away when neighbours called about the fire. Rushing home, she found firefighters battling the flames and her uncle missing. It was only later that his lifeless body was found on the lawn.

According to officials, the fire likely started due to an electrical short circuit in the bedroom where Pairoj was sleeping. Awakened by the smoke, he attempted to escape but inhaled a fatal amount of smoke in the process, causing him to collapse and ultimately die outside the house, said a fire department representative.

“The victim probably woke up in a panic, tried to flee through the smoke, and collapsed outside.”

This theory aligns with the findings of the medical examination, which indicated that smoke inhalation, specifically carbon dioxide poisoning, caused his death, reported KhaoSod.

Following the investigation and autopsy, Pairoj’s body was handed over to his family for traditional funeral rites. Meanwhile, authorities are assessing the extent of the damage to provide appropriate assistance.