Unexpected fire at East Thailand hospital disrupts communication and power

A blaze unexpectedly ignited on an electricity pole nearing the Somdet Borommaratchadewi Sri Racha Hospital in Sri Racha yesterday, February 14, wreaking havoc on communication cables and leading to service disruptions in the area.

In the early hours of yesterday, around 2.30am, a fire report involving telecommunication lines on an electricity pole situated in front of the hospital was received by the Sri Racha municipality fire department. Firefighters arrived at the scene to find communication cables swallowed by intense flames.

In response, the fire department quickly reached out to the local power authority to disconnect electricity in the fire-affected area. Firefighters then took action to combat the fire, effectively extinguishing the blaze in a swift five minutes. Despite the quick response, the damage inflicted was considerable.

The formidable heat had caused the electrical and communication cables to melt, leaving them inoperable. This led to power outages and a breakdown in the communication systems around the hospital’s vicinity, reported Pattaya News.

Soranarin Phanatee, a 37 year old security officer assigned to the hospital, recounted hearing sounds akin to explosions before he spotted the fire consuming the communication lines outside. He immediately alerted the relevant authorities.

The fire’s origin remains a mystery, as investigations are still ongoing.

In related news, a blazing inferno swept through a small residence in Wichit, Phuket at the weekend leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Thanks to the swift action of local firefighters, the flames were kept from spreading to nearby buildings, saving the neighbourhood from a potentially catastrophic domino effect.

Upon receiving word of the fire, located in Soi Thep Anusorn 6 in Moo 2, Wichit, at approximately 1.48pm on February 11, Wichit Municipality and Wichit Police quickly sprang into action. The municipality dispatched a fire truck, three water trucks, and an EMS ambulance to the scene, showcasing their readiness to respond to emergencies.