Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

A fire broke out at the renowned Bo Haeo Temple in Lampang’s Muang district on 13 August, causing damage to valuable historical artefacts and prompting a swift response from emergency services.

 

Local firefighters from Bo Haeo Municipality, the Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and the Lampang Rescue Association, assisted by residents, rushed to the scene to control the blaze, which had spread to the upper ceiling of the temple. The fire was brought under control within 45 minutes.

 

Bo Haeo Municipality Mayor Somporn Wate inspected the scene and reported that the first witnesses were mostly elderly women crafting traditional Lanna lanterns in a lower pavilion. They noticed the smell of smoke and saw smoke rising from the temple roof, prompting an immediate alert to authorities. Quick action prevented the fire from engulfing the entire building.

 

Initial investigations suggest the fire may have started from an electrical short circuit in a ceiling-mounted fan. Burn marks were observed on the wall-mounted fan and nearby wiring, which spread to the ceiling above the principal Buddha image. Police forensic teams are carrying out a full investigation to confirm the cause.

 

At present, the extent of the damage remains unclear, but almost the entire temple ceiling has been affected. Paintings, internal wiring and a centuries-old pulpit, over 200 years old, have suffered damage. The area has been cordoned off for safety, as falling debris from the ceiling poses a risk and structural inspections are underway.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-15

 

 

 

In the absence of any other compelling motive or explanation, the faulty wiring hypothesis is more than plausible.

That happened to the 200+ year old viharn at Wat Muang Guy which burned to the ground some years ago.

Electrical wiring in old buildings is often an accident waiting to happen.