Arson suspected in Phuket Town car blaze

PHUKET: Police are investigating a presumed arson attack that turned a parked car into a ball of flames in Phuket Town last night.

First on the scene, a soi off Phuket Road near Bang Neaw Shrine, were emergency rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation.

Although equipped with three chemical sprayers, they could do little but watch as the flames completely engulfed the car.

Arriving soon afterwards were Phuket Municipality firefighters, who took 30 minutes to completely douse the flames.

There was a great deal of excitement and fear in the neighborhood, which is located in the heart of Phuket Town.

Witnesses told police the fire appeared to start beneath one of the wheels before quickly spreading to the gasoline tank.

Owner Jirasak Naknan, 53, told police the vehicle had been parked in the same location since Friday night.

The car was recently repainted, but there was no reason to suspect an electrical fault was responsible for igniting the blaze, he told police.

Police suspect a personal or business dispute may have caused an arsonist to set the car alight.

Mr Jirasak operates the highly successful Ran Khu Lek beauty salon in the area.

Damage to the eight-year-old Opel passenger car is estimated at around 100,000 baht.

Police will review images recorded by CCTV cameras in the area to try and find out who, if anyone, was responsible for the fire.