Fire Breaks Out at Phuket Hotel

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A fire broke out at a 79-room hotel on Laem Sai Road in Karon, Phuket, on the evening of 7 February, prompting an emergency response from local authorities. Fortunately, swift action by hotel staff and firefighters prevented the flames from spreading too far, but smoke prevented some guests evacuating their rooms, with responders shouting for them to wait on the balconies and not try to climb down.

 

At approximately 18:00 Pol. Capt. Jaras Lempan, an investigator at Karon Police Station, received a report of a fire at the hotel and immediately alerted Pol. Col. Khundej Na Nongkhai, Chief of Karon Police Station. Together with Pol. Lt. Col. Wiwat Chamnankit, Deputy Superintendent of Karon Police, they rushed to the scene to assess the situation.

 

Six fire engines from Karon Municipality arrived promptly, finding thick smoke billowing from the fourth floor of the building. The fire had originated in a housekeeping storage room, which was severely damaged. While the exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest an electrical fault or improper storage of combustible materials may have played a role.

 

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as hotel guests and staff evacuated the premises. Some foreign tourists, caught in the confusion, were seen climbing onto balconies in an attempt to escape the smoke-filled corridors. However, hotel employees acted swiftly, using fire extinguishers to contain and suppress the flames before they could spread further.

 

By the time emergency responders arrived, the fire he been contained to the store room, preventing any fire damage to the guest rooms, although heat and smoke spread throughout parts of the building. No injuries were reported among guests or staff, though many were visibly shaken by the incident.

 

Video footage captured by onlookers showed thick smoke pouring from the affected floor, with emergency crews working to ensure the blaze was completely extinguished. Firefighters spent nearly an hour ventilating the area and conducting safety inspections before allowing guests to return to their rooms.

 

Authorities have praised the quick-thinking hotel employees for their decisive action, which prevented a more severe outcome. However, officials have emphasised the need for all businesses in the area to review their fire safety measures to ensure they are adequately prepared for emergencies.

 

Karon Police, in collaboration with fire investigators, will conduct a thorough inspection of the hotel to determine whether proper fire safety protocols were followed and if additional precautions are needed. The total cost of damages is yet to be assessed, but hotel management has assured guests that operations will continue as normal as possible with hopefully minimal disruption, with some rooms and areas, off the effected corridor outside the store, currently being unavailable due to smoke and heat damage.

 

The investigation into the exact cause of the fire remains ongoing.

 

-- 2025-02-09

 

 

Video courtesy of Phuketinsta.