University Professor’s Home Catches Fire in Bangkok: 1 Dead, Suspected E-Bike Battery Fire

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A fire broke out at the home of a university professor in Bangkok in the early hours of 16 February, with initial reports suggesting an electric bicycle battery as the cause.

 

At approximately 02:20, Pol. Lt. Apiwat Phuak-insaeng, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) of Thung Khru Police Station, received a report of a house fire in a residential estate on Soi Pracha Uthit 72, Thung Khru district. Emergency responders, including firefighters, rescue volunteers, and civil defence personnel from Thung Khru and Rat Burana, were quickly dispatched to the scene.

 

Upon arrival, authorities found a three-storey townhouse engulfed in flames, with heavy smoke billowing from the property at number 68/164. The fire rapidly spread to the second and third floors. Firefighters battled the blaze for over an hour before bringing it under control, with parts of the house suffering severe damage.

 

During their inspection, officials discovered the body of a 69-year-old woman, later identified as Mrs. Kueaporn Taweeprapathomkul, in a third-floor room that served as both an office and a bedroom. She was found lying on her back, with visible soot marks on her body. Officers from the Forensic Police Division, medical examiners from Siriraj Hospital, and investigators examined the scene.

 

Her husband, Mr. Suchart Taweeprapathomkul, 71, a professor at Chulalongkorn University and the homeowner, suffered smoke inhalation but declined hospitalisation after receiving first aid.

 

Mr. Suchart stated that he suspected the fire was triggered by an electric bicycle battery. He clarified that the bike had not been charging at the time but was parked within the car port area, next to other stored items. He recalled waking up to use the bathroom when he heard an explosion followed by a loud crash. Initially thinking it was a domestic dispute, he went to investigate and saw flames rapidly spreading into the house.

 

He attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher, but it was insufficient to control the blaze. Acting quickly, he soaked a shirt in water and covered his face to avoid severe burns. “If I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have made it out alive,” he said.

 

Only Mr. Suchart and his wife were in the house, as their children had already moved out to start their own families

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Picture showing the remains of the E-bike, the suspected cause.
 

Forensic officers have collected the remains of the electric bicycle’s battery and other debris for further analysis. Meanwhile, the deceased’s body has been sent to Siriraj Hospital’s forensic department for an autopsy. Officials will continue investigating the incident to confirm the exact cause of the fire.

 

 

-- 2025-02-17

 

[BritManToo]

My eMTB is parked in the garden, silly to block the only exit of your house with one.

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

My eMTB is parked in the garden, silly to block the only exit of your house with one.

 

The only rechargeable batteries that I have are in my phones so I should be OK. 

[moose7117]

Got a mate in Australia had his house burn down from a faulty electric scooter meltdown.