Fire at Hat Yai hotel sparks chaos, guests evacuated
A fire erupted in the ventilation shaft of a prominent hotel in downtown Hat Yai, leading to chaotic scenes as staff and guests scrambled to evacuate. Officials are investigating the incident, initially suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit.
At 7.30pm yesterday, emergency services were alerted to a fire at a well-known hotel on Sanehanusorn Road, within the Hat Yai municipality in Songkhla province. Firefighters from Hat Yai Municipality quickly responded, dispatching four fire engines to the scene.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered flames inside the hotel’s ventilation shaft, which measures over 1.5 metres wide. It took approximately 10 minutes to bring the fire under control, but during this time, thick smoke filled the hotel, causing panic among both guests and staff. The chaotic evacuation saw people rushing to exit the building as quickly as possible.
The building, which stands over 10 stories tall, required the use of large fans to expel the smoke. This process was expected to take several hours, during which time officials cordoned off the area to prevent any unrelated individuals from entering the premises due to safety concerns, reported KhaoSod.
The police will conduct a thorough investigation to assess the damage and pinpoint the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary reports suggest that an electrical short circuit within the ventilation shaft may have ignited the blaze. Further inspections will be carried out to confirm these findings.
In related news, two major fires erupted in Pattaya in the early hours of May 17, terrorising locals and tourists alike. The first fire erupted at a well-known shopping centre in Nong Prue district, and the second incident erupted at a high-rise condominium on South Pattaya Road.
A large amount of smoke emerged from the mall, frightening many tourists strolling along Pattaya Beach. The local authorities promptly took control of the situation, directing bystanders to hastily evacuate the area.
