Fire Erupts at Scrap Yard After Gas Torch Ignites Fuel Tank

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture and video from responders.

 

A fire broke out at a second-hand auto parts yard in Buriram when a mechanic attempting to dismantle an old car inadvertently set it alight. The fire quickly engulfed the vehicle, destroying it and spreading to nearby cars and parts.

 

The incident occurred on 4 February at a scrap yard located in the Nong Hin area of Prakhon Chai district. According to authorities, the mechanic, 45-year-old Mr. Prasit Tangprakorn, was attempting to remove a fuel tank from an old car. He was using a gas torch to heat the bolt holding the tank in place when the hose from the fuel tank came loose, causing the torch to ignite the escaping fuel vapour.

 

The fire quickly spread, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Local firefighters responded promptly, managing to control the blaze after about 20 minutes. Despite the flames, no one was injured in the incident.

 

Mr. Prasit, who has been dismantling cars for years, admitted that he had never encountered such a dangerous situation before. He recounted how the fire erupted suddenly, forcing him to flee to safety.

 

Mr. Sommat Phimwong, the 39-year-old owner of the shop, explained that typically, the fuel tanks of older cars are empty due to the evaporation of fuel over time. However, in this case, the fuel tank still contained some fuel, which led to the unexpected fire.

 

He stressed that this incident should serve as a cautionary tale for others working with old vehicles. The estimated damage to the car and parts is around 100,000 Thai Baht.

 

-- 2025-02-05

 

 

 

[wozzlegummich]

6 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

"He was using a gas torch to heat the bolt holding the tank in place."

https://darwinawards.com/

 

 

[lungbing]

And of course the scrap yard was equipped with fire extinguishers, wasn't it?