B2m damage in three-home blaze

PHUKET TOWN: A kitchen fire raged out of control and gutted three units of a two-story townhouse complex in Moo Baan Karn Kaeha yesterday afternoon. Total damage is estimated at more than 2 million baht. Five firefighters took nearly one hour to put out the blaze. No injuries were reported. The fire started in the kitchen of one of the homes, which had a restaurant on the ground floor. Police questioned the homeowner, Jareun Suriyakarndee, who said that his Burmese chef was heating curry on the stove, when there was an explosion. The chef fled the scene and has not been seen since. An investigation is underway.