Electrical Fault Sparks Fire In Ben's Mansion, Soi Vc..

[libya 115]

SOURCE: Pattaya Daily News: September 4th 2007

FAULTY REFREIGERATOR OVERHEATS, SETTING ROOM ON FIRE

A fire broke out in a room, belonging to a female tourist from Uzbekistan. In all probability, the fire was caused by a faulty refrigerator plug, which overheated. The blaze broke out in the middle of the night. Fortunately, the occupant of the room was not home. However, all of her belongings were destroyed by the fire.

On 4 September 2007, at 12:40 AM, Pattaya Investigator Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongsak Wongwarn, along with a police team and the Pattaya Fire Department, rushed to Ben Mansion, located at 26/112-114, on Soi VC, South Pattaya.

When they arrived, they saw that a fire was raging in Room 301, on the third floor of the building. Many residents, both Thais and foreigners, were running out of the building.

Mr. Suchart Thong-Lak, (50), the building’s proprietor, had to climb up the banister from the second floor in order to lead the firefighters to the room that was ablaze. As there was nobody in the room and the door was locked, firefighters had to break the glass window in order to position the hose and put out the fire.

The fire was ferocious and all the furniture and contents of the room were burned beyond repair. Damage was estimated at about 500,000 baht. Officials inspected the room after the fire was extinguished and theorized that the fire was caused by a faulty refrigerator plug.

Mr. Suchart said that Mrs. Arisa Wong-Gaew (52), a cashier, notified him of the fire and he immediately called the authorities. The room was rented to Miss Poilya Rakhamanova (30), an Uzbek tourist. She had been staying in the room for several months and had a large amount of belongings in the room. Mr. Suchart will try to contact Miss Rakhamanova about the fire as soon as possible.