Fire Destroys Popular Isaan Restaurant in Nonthaburi

[Georgealbert]

 

 

A fire engulfed and almost completely destroyed an Isaan restaurant in Nonthaburi, causing an estimated loss of nearly 5 million baht. Two people were injured in the incident, including the head chef, who fainted in shock as the fire rapidly spread. Authorities believe the blaze was triggered by an electrical short circuit.

 

The fire broke out on September 29 at the “Isaan Station” restaurant, located along the Pak Kret Bypass Road in Tha Sai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi. Local police, along with the Nonthaburi Municipality Fire Department and volunteer rescue teams, were dispatched to the scene to control the fire before it could spread to nearby buildings.

 

 

The restaurant, a single-story structure, was consumed by flames that quickly spread due to the wooden materials in the construction and the tables, chairs, and counters, which acted as fuel. Firefighters deployed five fire trucks to battle the blaze and prevent it from spreading to an adjacent parcel delivery warehouse. After 60 minutes, the fire was brought under control.

 

At the time of the fire, there were about seven to eight staff members inside the building. Two employees were injured: a 50-year-old chef named Yao, who suffered burns to his left elbow and fainted while watching the fire, and Pat, 52, a beverage staff member, who sustained a cut to his right wrist while attempting to break a door to help colleagues trapped inside. Both were transported to Pak Kret’s Chonprathan Hospital for treatment.

 

Inside the restaurant, investigators found that the cashier counter, tables, chairs, kitchen equipment, and the roof were all completely destroyed by the fire. Fortunately, the damage to the nearby neighbouring warehouse was minimal.

 

Su, a 30-year-old restaurant employee, said he noticed the fire starting at the cashier counter and spreading to the roof within minutes. He tried to extinguish the fire but was unable to stop the flames. He believes the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit at the counter, and although several staff were inside, everyone managed to escape safely.

 

Pat, the injured employee, explained that he cut his wrist while trying to assist other employees, believing that some staff were still trapped inside the building as the fire intensified.

 

Another restaurant employee, recalled that a coworker had rushed to call her for the keys to the cashier counter when the fire started there. By the time she arrived, the counter was already engulfed in flames. She added that the restaurant had recently celebrated its 4th anniversary on September 5.

 

A co-owner of the restaurant, expressed her dismay, noting that the business had undergone significant renovations just a short time ago. She estimates the losses to be no less than 5 million baht, although the exact figure is still unclear.

 

Police have begun gathering witness statements and will coordinate with forensic experts to investigate the exact cause of the fire, which is currently suspected to be the result of an electrical short circuit.

 

Picture from responders.

 

-- 2024-09-30