Elderly Man Perishes in House Fire in Nakhon Phanom

Picture from responders.

An 81-year-old man lost his life in ahouse fire in Nakhon Phanom during the early hours of the morning of 22 February. The blaze, which consumed the entire wooden home, also destroyed nearly 100,000 baht in savings and five sacks of rice. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.

The fire broke out at approximately 00:30 in Moo 3, Kan Luang Subdistrict, Na Kae District. Upon receiving reports, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office dispatched fire engines and rescue teams to the scene. The fire, which had engulfed the house in flames, took around 30 minutes to bring under control. Sadly, the remains of the elderly resident, later identified as Mr. Lai Poompao, were discovered in the charred remains of the house. Emergency responders transported his body to Na Kae Hospital.

Eyewitnesses, including 40-year-old neighbour Patcharin Wongnakorn and 68-year-old Lom Poompao, recounted that the fire was first noticed when Patcharin’s daughter heard cracking noises resembling breaking wood. Upon stepping outside, she saw flames already engulfing the roof.

Neighbours rushed to alert Mr. Lai by shouting his name, but received no response. They attempted to douse the flames with water but were unable to contain the rapidly spreading fire. It was only after firefighters arrived that the blaze was successfully extinguished, revealing the loss of life.

According to Mr. Lom, Mr. Lai was an elderly man who lived alone with no family. His house had no electricity, relying instead on an oil lamp for illumination. Authorities suspect that the fire may have been caused by a fallen oil lamp or another heat source within the home. In addition to the loss of life, Mr. Lai’s life savings of nearly 100,000 baht and five sacks of rice were completely destroyed in the inferno.

Investigators continue to examine the site to determine the precise cause of the fire and ensure that such a tragedy does not occur again.

-- 2025-02-23