Nong Bua Lamphu man dies in charcoal kiln fall

A 68-year-old man is believed to have died after inhaling toxic smoke from a smouldering charcoal kiln in Nong Bua Lamphu on 12 August 2026. After falling in, the fire burned his body almost completely, leaving rescuers with only a small amount of fragmented bone.

Police were called to a rice field around 3km from a village in Ban Nong Saeng, Moo 8, Hua Na subdistrict, Mueang district, after human remains were found in the kiln.

Pol. Lt. Col. Songkran Kanesuk, deputy investigation inspector at Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu Police Station, attended with an on-duty doctor from Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital and the Khuntham Nong Bua Lamphu rescue team.

Grandson found remains in kiln

The remains are believed to be those of Veera Dana, who owned the rice field and kiln. His 27-year-old grandson, Thawatchai Hueangsri, said Veera had left home at about 07:00 after asking him to buy painkillers for age-related leg pain.

Veera said he intended to open the kiln and remove charcoal to sell. He normally stayed overnight at the field and only returned home occasionally.

At about 19:00, Veera's younger brother asked Thawatchai to find him and bring him back to the village. At the field, Thawatchai found his grandfather's bicycle and belongings but could not locate him.

He saw the kiln entrance had been opened and some charcoal removed, although smouldering flames remained inside. Looking in with a light, he saw what appeared to be a human hip bone and a stainless-steel basin about 30cm wide.

Villagers broke open parts of the roughly 3m-wide kiln, whose 60cm by 80cm entrance was large enough to crawl through, and sprayed water inside. Rescuers later searched using lights and hoes, recovering tiny white bone fragments.

Smoke may have overcome experienced worker

Relatives said Veera's shoulder bag, phone and amulets were found near the entrance. Though damaged and distorted by heat, they were recognised as the items he regularly used.

Police found no apparent signs of theft or damage at the field, where Veera raised cattle and buffalo. His relatives and neighbours said he had no known disputes and believed he entered to collect charcoal before discovering the fire was not fully out.

They suggested he may have carried water inside to dampen embers. Pouring it over the smouldering fire may have suddenly released smoke and ash, causing him to lose consciousness. Once the entrance was opened, oxygen may have caused the fire to flare up and burn his body for hours.

Veera's family said he had no known underlying medical conditions and did not question the apparent cause of death. The recovered bones, wrapped in white cloth, were released to the family for religious rites.

Picture courtesy of Khoasod

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14 August 2026