Fire Engulfs Tour Bus Parking Lot on Kanchanapisek Road

Picture from responders.

A dramatic fire erupted at a tour bus parking lot on the western section of Kanchanapisek Road in Bangkok on December 25, destroying ten disused vehicles. Quick action by firefighters prevented further damage and spread out of the disused area, with no injuries or fatalities reported.

Pol. Capt. Saneh Kanpawong from Bang Sao Thong Police Station received the emergency call regarding the fire at a bus parking lot owned by Siam Bus Company. The site, located near the outer ring road in Thawi Watthana District, contained numerous parked buses, including several no longer in service.

Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters found six buses already engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading rapidly to neighbouring vehicles. The risk was heightened as the lot was adjacent to a second-hand car dealership. Firefighters worked swiftly, deploying water hose-lines to contain the blaze and prevent further escalation. After 40 minutes, the fire was brought under control.

Preliminary inspections revealed that ten buses were extensively damaged. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or loss of life.

Mr. Somkiat Srisomphot, 57, a bus driver who witnessed the incident, recounted the moment the fire broke out. “I was resting nearby when I noticed smoke rising from one of the buses parked at the back of the lot. Within moments, flames engulfed the vehicle and quickly spread to others parked nearby,” he said. Mr. Somkiat promptly alerted the authorities.

He added that the buses involved were decommissioned vehicles, many of which had been left unused for years. “The buses had their doors locked, and the batteries were long past their operational lifespan. I have no idea how the fire started,” he explained.

Police are currently questioning witnesses and the company’s owners while coordinating with forensic experts to investigate the cause of the fire. Authorities have assured the public that they will pursue appropriate legal action following the results of their investigation.

-- 2024-12-26