Fire Truck Engulfed in Flames While Responding to Blaze in Roi Et

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

In a dramatic turn of events, a fire truck dispatched to extinguish a raging field fire on January 31, in Roi Et was itself consumed by flames after becoming trapped in difficult off road terrain.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 13:30 in Don Chad Field, Saowae Subdistrict, Nong Hi District, Roi Et Province. Firefighters from the Saowae Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) had been called to tackle a spreading fire in a rice field, which was threatening to engulf a wider area.

 

As the fire truck navigated a narrow dirt rural road to reach the scene, it was travelling through smoke to reach the fire and drove off the road and became stuck in the uneven terrain. Before the crew could attempt to free the vehicle, strong winds and intense flames surged towards the immobilised truck, quickly engulfing it.

 

Faced with the rapidly intensifying blaze, the firefighters were forced to abandon their vehicle and run to safety. Within minutes, the entire fire truck was ablaze, rendering it completely unusable.

 

Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the firefighters, who managed to escape the flames in time. However, the fire truck sustained total damage, representing a major setback for local firefighting efforts.

 

The cause of the initial field fire remains under investigation, though authorities suspect that dry conditions and strong winds contributed to its rapid spread.

 

Local officials have urged farmers and residents to exercise extreme caution when burning agricultural waste or engaging in any activity that could spark wildfires. Firefighters are also being advised to assess terrain accessibility before deploying vehicles in high-risk areas.

 

This unexpected loss of critical firefighting equipment has highlighted the challenges faced by emergency responders in rural Thailand, where difficult terrain and strong winds can quickly turn routine operations into life-threatening situations.

 

Authorities are now working to secure a replacement fire truck for the Saowae Subdistrict to ensure that emergency response capabilities are not compromised in future incidents.

 

-- 2025-02-01

 

 

[MangoKorat]

10 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Local officials have urged farmers and residents to exercise extreme caution when burning agricultural waste

They don't do that anymore - remember?

 

Sorry but I'm struggling to keep a straight face - a fire truck bursts into flames on its way to deal with a fire, you just couldn't make this stuff up, could you?

17 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Before the crew could attempt to free the vehicle, strong winds and intense flames surged towards the immobilised truck, quickly engulfing it.

Later, Mr Somchai Laurel and Mr Saman Hardy stated they felt lucky to be alive.

[Georgealbert]

8 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

They don't do that anymore - remember?

 

Sorry but I'm struggling to keep a straight face - a fire truck bursts into flames on its way to deal with a fire, you just couldn't make this stuff up, could you?

Later, Mr Somchai Laurel and Mr Saman Hardy stated they felt lucky to be alive.

Happens all around the world, as that is a risk in a challenging and developing fire situation.

 

So you think it is funny, that firefighters almost die protecting their communities?

 

Firefighting is easy sat behind a keyboard, giving a unqualified opinion based on no experience, but don’t let that stop you showing contempt for those facing it for real.

[MangoKorat]

7 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

So you think it is funny, that firefighters almost die protecting their communities?

Calm down, it doesn't do for a man of your age to go getting so upset.

[fredwiggy]

I don't think he thought it was funny that the firefighters were at risk. Just the irony of a fire truck catching fire. Yes, it does happen all over the world, as the Los Angeles fires attest. Firefighters and citizens die every year from out of control fires. Building homes in arid areas with not enough protection from water accesses, arson and unsafe practices, like the illegal burning that goes on here countrywide daily are what has fires start, and get out of control. Having old, worn out equipment doesn't help either, but there are enough billionaires here that make money using others, taking advantage of others or do actually nothing useful at all, that could pay for this kind of problem. No excuses that a government can't fund things that help their citizens.

[Gottfrid]

How suitable.

[steven100]

oh dear Georgealbert,   this is very serious, it's thankful the firefighters got out of the fire's path.  Firefighting is always fought with dangerous situations and here's an example.  

 

I hope someone can donate a new fire truck for them if that's the only one they had in the area.