Elderly Couple Escapes House Fire in Nonthaburi

Picture from responders.

A 73-year-old woman heroically saved her 81-year-old wheelchair-bound husband as a fire engulfed their two-storey townhouse in Sai Ma, Mueang District, Nonthaburi. Firefighters battled the blaze for over an hour before bringing it under control. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

At around 09:50 on 3 April, police at Bang Sri Muang Police Station received a report of a house fire in a residential estate. Six fire engines from Sai Ma Municipality were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found flames rapidly spreading through the upper floor of the house.

The elderly homeowner, who had been sitting downstairs, was unaware of the fire until neighbours shouted warnings. Despite the danger, she remained calm and composed, recalling fire safety training she had previously attended. She rushed upstairs, attempting to douse the flames with a wet towel, but the fire had already spread too quickly. Realising the situation was beyond her control, she immediately turned her attention to rescuing her husband, who was unable to evacuate on his own.

The 81-year-old homeowner, who was seated in his wheelchair downstairs, recounted his shock and panic upon learning about the fire. “I didn’t even know what was happening until neighbours alerted us to the smoke upstairs,” he said. With flames intensifying, his wife acted quickly, helping him escape before the fire consumed the upper floor.

A security guard from the estate, who had noticed smoke billowing from the house, also rushed over to assist. He shouted for the couple to evacuate and helped guide them outside just in time.

Firefighters took about an hour to bring the blaze under control. The second floor of the house was completely destroyed, with damages yet to be fully assessed. Initial investigations point to an electrical short circuit as the likely cause, though officials from the Nonthaburi Forensic Investigation Unit will conduct further examinations to confirm the cause.

Authorities are urging homeowners to regularly inspect electrical wiring and remain vigilant to prevent similar incidents.

-- 2025-04-04