Firecracker folly: Phuket driver’s explosive secret sparks car blaze

A Thai driver yesterday admitted to storing an assortment of firecrackers in his car, which led to a blaze that engulfed his vehicle and another nearby in Phuket.

A witness lodged a complaint with Mueang Phuket Police Station around 8.30pm, Yesterday, October 3, reporting the fire that erupted on two vehicles in Soi Shopping, right in the heart of Phuket City. Police, together with firefighters, hurried to the scene.

The incident took place in a narrow alley just 6 metres wide. Upon arrival, officers discovered a white Toyota Fortuner SUV engulfed in flames, prompting other motorists and residents to evacuate their homes and move their vehicles to safety.

Tragically, the fire spread to a nearby bronze Subaru. Several locals attempted to douse the flames with fire extinguishers, but the fire was too fierce.

Firefighters worked tirelessly, pouring water over the two vehicles for approximately 30 minutes before successfully bringing the blaze under control. While the SUV was completely destroyed, the extent of the damage to the Subaru remains unreported.

The SUV’s owner, 50 year old Suppachai Saelim, told Phuket Hotnews that he parked the car there and went to the Vegetarian Festival with his son at a nearby shrine. He returned to the car and sat inside but did not leave immediately as he was on the phone.

While on the call, Suppachai noticed a small fire at the back of his car. He immediately turned off the engine and told his son to get out of the vehicle.

Suppachai admitted that he stored firecrackers, fireworks, and bang snaps in the back of the SUV. He believed that the hot weather caused the firecrackers to ignite, resulting in the fire.

Police have not yet closed the case and plan to conduct further investigations to confirm the exact cause of the fire.

In a related incident, a luxury sailboat caught fire due to an engine failure while floating in the sea near Koh Rat and Koh Naka Yai in the Thalang district of Phuket. Firefighters were unable to control the blaze, and the boat sank.

Two Thai men, including the captain and a technician, were aboard the sailboat at the time. Fortunately, the technician escaped unharmed, while the captain sustained minor injuries to his legs.