Northern Thailand: Fire destroys home, injures elderly woman

A devastating fire destroyed a home in Phrae province, leaving an elderly, disabled woman injured. Police and local agencies swiftly moved to assist following the incident, which occurred at noon today.

The tragedy unfolded when a fire broke out at a single-story wooden house in Village 6, Taopoon subdistrict, Song district. Police Lieutenant Colonel Krittipoom Thaboon received the alert and immediately notified Police Colonel Bumrung Nomsean, who coordinated with local officials, including Natthaphon Thonglai, the Mayor of Taopoon Subdistrict Administrative Organisation.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene, and Artitaya Innachai, a member of the Provincial Administrative Organisation for Phrae, also joined the firefighting efforts. It took over 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

The house belonged to Boonma Sombut, an elderly woman with a disability. The fire completely consumed her home and an adjacent wooden shelter.

Fortunately, all residents managed to escape with minor injuries. Boonma suffered burns on her back, struggling to flee due to her disability. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by a candle left burning, as the house had been without electricity for some time due to unpaid bills.

Boonma has two sons who are unemployed and addicted to methamphetamine. Tragically, her daughter-in-law, also a drug addict, committed suicide two months ago. Natthaphon and Artitaya have been actively assisting, with police set to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.

A resident expressed concern about Boonma’s grandson Shen, a fourth-grade student at Taopoon School. Shen frequently accompanies his father, who is a drug addict and often steals to support his habit. There is significant worry about Shen’s future, and community members are urging relevant agencies to intervene and provide support, reported KhaoSod.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai), or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress, or depression. Seek help.