Fire sparks chaos: Lithium battery turns van to ashes in Chon Buri

A fire broke out from a lithium battery, causing a van in Chon Buri to burn to cinders. The driver, noticing a burning smell, quickly pulled over and escaped. Police are set to investigate the cause.

A dramatic incident unfolded last night, June 27, when a white Toyota Commuter van caught fire on Suk Prayoon Road in Nong Tamlueng, Phan Thong District, Chon Buri. At approximately 11pm, local police from Phan Thong station, along with firefighters from Nong Tamlueng Municipality and Nong Kakha Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, received reports of the fire and promptly dispatched three fire trucks to the scene.

Upon arrival, emergency responders found the van engulfed in flames. Firefighters worked swiftly, taking over 20 minutes to extinguish the blaze completely. Unfortunately, the fire had consumed the entire vehicle, leaving nothing but a charred metal frame.

The van’s owner, 64 year old Sommat recounted the events leading up to the fire. He explained that while driving to run errands, he detected a burning smell and decided to pull over to the side of the road. He then called a mechanic to schedule an inspection and repair.

Moments later, Sommat noticed flames emanating from the area where he had installed an additional lithium battery to power the vehicle’s air conditioning system. The fire intensified rapidly, making it impossible for him to extinguish it.

The van owner emphasised that his van had not undergone any other modifications apart from the installation of the lithium battery for air conditioning purposes. He also mentioned that it was a personal vehicle used solely for his private activities.

“I saw the flames starting from the lithium battery. It escalated so quickly that I couldn’t control it.”

Police are carrying out a detailed investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire. Police have indicated that they will conduct further interviews with Sommat and involve forensic experts to thoroughly examine the remnants of the vehicle.

This investigation aims to uncover any potential faults or issues with the lithium battery installation that might have led to the incident, reported KhaoSod.