Chinese New Year Incense Sparks Fire, Damages House in Pattaya

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A house fire in Pattaya, Chonburi Province, was caused by incense left burning during Chinese New Year celebrations. The incident, which occurred on 28 January at 12:30 resulted in the near-total internal damage of a single-storey house and left the homeowner’s son injured from smoke inhalation.

 

Deputy Investigator Police Lieutenant Sakayapat Chaidej from Pattaya City Police Station, along with five fire engines and rescue personnel from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation, responded to the fire at 162/61 Soi Thappraya 5. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the property. Firefighters took approximately 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze, but the house sustained severe internal damage.

 

The injured individual, the son of the homeowner, was inside the house when the fire broke out and suffered smoke inhalation while in his bedroom. Emergency responders administered first aid before transporting him to Pattaya Pattamnakorn Hospital for further treatment.

 

The homeowner, 71-year-old Mrs. Julairat Phoduang, explained that she had lit incense earlier in the day as part of Chinese New Year traditions before leaving for the market. Upon her return, she found thick smoke pouring out of her home and immediately alerted authorities.

 

Police suspect the fire was caused by incense or candles that were not fully extinguished, which ignited flammable materials in the house. Authorities are conducting further investigations to confirm the cause of the fire.

 

-- 2025-01-29