Bangkok: Fire Engulfs Bus Depot, Spreads to Workers’ Quarters

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A lucky escape unfolded in the early hours of the morning of November 29, as a fire broke out at a bus repair depot in Soi Suksawat 30, Rat Burana District, Bangkok. The blaze spread rapidly to workers’ quarters and electrical poles, causing a transformer to explode.

 

At approximately 04:00,  Pol. Lt. Narasak Wongprotha, an investigator from Rat Burana Police Station, received a report of the fire. Firefighters, rescue teams, and volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation were dispatched to the scene immediately.

 

The fire originated in a pile of bus tyres at the depot and quickly spread to nearby electrical poles, resulting in a transformer explosion. Sparks from the explosion ignited the workers’ living quarters. Burmese workers residing in the quarters were forced to flee for their lives, with some sustaining minor injuries from jumping to escape and smoke inhalation. Firefighters battled the blaze for over an hour before successfully bringing it under control. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.

 

One of the workers, 43-year-old Min Jo Thay, recounted the incident. “I was resting in my room when I heard the transformer explode. Sparks flew over the whole area and the fire spread rapidly. I panicked and couldn’t grab any belongings. I had to jump from my second-floor room to escape, injuring myself in the process.”

 

Authorities have cordoned off the area and will do a thorough investigation by forensic experts to determine the exact cause of the fire.

 

 

-- 2024-11-29