Three Taxis Destroyed In Gas Station Fire

Three taxis destroyed in gas station

BANGKOK: A fire at a gas station in Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district yesterday destroyed three taxis and damaged a fourth, police said. No injuries were reported.

Capt Wongkorn Muenkaew of Pathum Wan police station said the fire broke out after a gas hose nozzle slipped free while a taxi was being refuelled.

“Although the safety valve automatically shut down the pump, the spilled gas ignited and caused a brief and intense fire that burned the taxi being serviced and three others in the queue,” Wongkorn said.

Eight fire trucks were soon on the scene and took just 10 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

Investigators are investigating and have not filed any charges.

Station operator Phakakrong Songthaweephol said she suspected the vehicle’s heat had caused the gas to ignite, ruling out speculation that the hose head was faulty.

--The Posat 2003-12-27