Fire Massive Fire Destroys 5 Homes and 10 Vehicles in Samut Songkhram

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of 29 June, engulfing five homes and destroying ten vehicles in a narrow alleyway within Rong Fuean community, Bang Kaew Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Songkhram Province. Damages are estimated to exceed 10 million baht.

 

The blaze was reported at around 01:00 to Mr. Kittichai Tanprasert, the chief of the Bang Kaew Subdistrict Administrative Organisation. Fire engines from the local authority and nearby districts, along with rescue teams from Sawang Benjatham and Sappharachen Foundations and the Provincial Disaster Response Unit, rushed to the scene.

 

Due to the narrow lanes of the wooden residential community, firefighters had difficulty accessing the scene and had to pump water from the nearby Bang Kaew Canal to battle the flames. Local residents also desperately tried to douse the fire using buckets of water.

 

It took firefighters approximately two hour to bring the blaze under control. By then, five houses were completely destroyed. Ten vehicles, including pickup trucks, cars and motorcycles, were reduced to charred remains.

In a heartbreaking turn, a family pet, a dog trapped in a cage, perished despite efforts by officials to rescue and rush it to an animal hospital. It died en route.

 

Mr. Sombat 57, owner of one of the destroyed houses, said his two-storey home, made of wood and concrete, housed eight family members. He recounted that his youngest daughter awoke in the night struggling to breathe. When she opened her eyes, she saw flames engulfing the upper floor and screamed for everyone to escape.

 

“We heard popping noises non-stop, probably from short-circuiting or exploding appliances. Everything burned, my Isuzu D-Max pickup, a Toyota Yaris sedan and seven motorcycles,” he said. One of his grandchildren was forced to jump from the second floor, sustaining injuries.

 

Another victim, Mrs. Patchara 62, said she was asleep with her husband and pet cat when she was jolted awake by loud noises. She grabbed the cat and escaped the burning house in time.

 

Mr. Kittichai confirmed the initial cause is suspected to be an electrical short circuit. He also ordered emergency relief, including temporary shelter at Wat Bang Kaew, survival kits and is seeking financial assistance for victims. Damage assessment is ongoing but is expected to total nearly 10 million baht.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-06-30