Fire destroys house in Ubon Ratchathani, causes 2 million baht damage

A fierce fire engulfed a two-storey house in Ubon Ratchathani, completely destroying it and causing chaos as firefighters scrambled to control the blaze. The incident occurred yesterday in a densely populated community.

Police officer Prawit Wacharin received a report about a fire at a two-storey residence on Sukha Upatham 3 Alley, Sukha Upatham Road, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District. Firefighters from Ubon Ratchathani Municipality and fire engines from nearby sub-district municipalities were promptly dispatched to the scene due to the closely packed houses in the area.

Upon arrival, the fire was already raging through the mixed-material house, with flames originating on the second floor and spreading downward. Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the narrow and dead-end nature of the alley, which made it difficult for fire engines to access the site.

Additionally, the electricity supply had not been cut off, leading to short circuits and sparks that further complicated the firefighting efforts. It took over an hour for the firefighters to bring the fire under control.

Sawai, the 87 year old homeowner, explained that he lived in the house with his 80 year old sister. At the time of the incident, he was on the second floor while his sister was downstairs praying. They noticed the fire starting from the electrical wires outside the house before quickly spreading inside. Neighbours rushed to help them escape, ensuring their survival, reported KhaoSod.

Initial investigations suggest that the fire might have been caused by an electrical short circuit. The preliminary estimate of the damage is approximately 2 million baht (US$ 55,000). The police will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.

In related news, a devastating fire on July 7 engulfed a four-storey commercial building in Don Mueang, Bangkok, leaving 21 cats dead and five others injured. Within ten minutes, firefighters managed to control the blaze, which erupted.