17 injured by explosion in shop selling fireworks in Ang Thong

[Lite Beer]

17 injured by explosion in shop selling fireworks in Ang Thong
The Sunday Nation

An explosion occurs at an Ang Thong shop selling Buddhist ritual offerings yesterday, wounding 17 people, 10 of them seriously.

BANGKOK: -- Seventeen people were injured - 10 of them seriously - when an explosion occurred yesterday at a shop selling Buddhist ritual offerings in Ang Thong's Wiset Chaichan district.

Following the 8.50am explosion report, police went to the "Aor Rungroj" townhouse shop near the district market to find the building destroyed by the impact of the explosion. Nearby shops, including a bank, and parked motorcycles were also damaged. Goods were blown away onto the street in a radius of about 40 square metres.

An initial police probe found that the shop, owned by 70-year-old Achara Kijcharoenrungroj, also sold fireworks and giant firecrackers, and the explosion might have been caused by the chemical reaction of long-stored firecrackers or fireworks, said Wiset Chaichan superintendent Pol Colonel Peerapan Chanthien. Police have not yet ruled out a cooking gas explosion, he added.

Forensic police and bomb experts are inspecting the scene to determine the cause of the explosion.

The Wiset Chaichan Municipality has sealed the building for structural inspection, as many feared the building might collapse, said Ang Thong Governor Pawin Chamniprasat. Initial inspection by the authorities found the shop had a proper licence to sell explosive materials, he added.

Pawin and senior Army officers later visited the five victims at Ang Thong Hospital, which included Captain Janya Kijcharoenrungroj, 36, an officer in the office of the Defence Ministry permanent secretary and also the shop owner's daughter who sustained facial wounds and eye injuries.

She recalled that she had visited her hometown during the four-day holiday period and was helping her mother and sister to sell goods at the shop when the explosion occurred. She fell to the ground and was rushed to the hospital along with her mother, who sustained injuries on her head and arms.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/17-injured-by-explosion-in-shop-selling-fireworks--30238374.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-13

[Gsxrnz]

I have an image in my mind of somebody lighting a few candles as an offering to Buddha adjacent to a tonne of fireworks.

[noitom]

The Thai military dictatorship has to crack down on this unregulated fireworks trade and activity.

[Tatsujin]

Yet another hazard to look out for when renting somewhere . . . does the shop next door sell fireworks . . . does the shop next door take in unidentified metal objects and then proceed to cut into them with cutting torches and angle grinders . . . does the shop next door etc etc

[sjjmmi]

Nothing new here

[seabass69]

"A radius of about 40 square metres"...??

[jcisco]

A radius is a length with a vector. Not an area... but alas I get the drift of what your saying. Damn proof reading and fact checking, I'd apply for the job, but there never appears to be any openings, Yes' I've checked.

[IamNoone88]

That should put a rocket up the arse of other shop owners to ensure safety precautions ...... but I doubt it.......

[Thai at Heart]

There is a video of this around. A very very big bang.

[NeilSA1]

The Thai military dictatorship has to crack down on this unregulated fireworks trade and activity.

"....the authorities found the shop had a proper licence to sell explosive materials..."

[katana]

There is a video of this around. A very very big bang.

Edited July 13, 2014 by katana

[Tokay]

Considering there are idiots here who pour gas into a bike via bottles while smoking a cig and dropping ashes and embers into the funnel, I can't say I'm shocked at this news. Though, legit accidents do happen. But Thais always have a way of increasing the risk of an accident.

[BillyBobThai]

[tingtongteesood]

WOW lucky day for that man on the motorbike, he missed being in the center of it by just a few feet !

[NeilSA1]

Considering there are idiots here who pour gas into a bike via bottles while smoking a cig and dropping ashes and embers into the funnel, I can't say I'm shocked at this news. Though, legit accidents do happen. But Thais always have a way of increasing the risk of an accident.

Just for interest a lit cigarette/embers can be safely extinguished in a bowl of petrol. A naked flame or spark near petrol can cause ignition.