Fire in furniture showroom kills two

BANGKOK: -- A predawn fire at a four-storey showroom building in Samut Songkram province on Monday killed the shop owner and her maid.

The fire at Sri Sayam furniture shop was reported to the police at 4.45am.

It started at the third-floor room and quickly raced to adjacent rooms and floor where a large number of furniture were stored.

Four fire engines were rushed to fight the fire while rescue workers trying to locate occupants trapped inside.

Then fire was put out three hours but smokes still obstruct rescue we workers to go inside.

Two bodies were found inside a fjord floor room. One was identified as the 60-year-old owner Mrs Patcharin Kongsin and her maid Suwadee Noiyunit, 35.

Rescue workers said Mrs Patcharin died in front of the bathroom with her right hand holding firmly a small torchlight.

Initial damage was estimated at 10 million baht, while cause of fire was still not known.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/fire-furniture-showroom-kills-two/


-- Thai PBS 2014-10-13

Probably there were no smoke detectors, alarms, sprinkler or fire extinguisher systems. Without any further evidence one cannot determine if the fire was caused by an electric malfunction, but there seems to be too many buildings without proper electric service for the amount of electricity generated. There doesn't appear to be any enforceable building safety codes in place.

"Initial damage was estimated at 10 million baht, while cause of fire was still not known."

For a fraction of the damage caused, an effective fire detection and extinguishing system could have been installed.

My condolences to the families of these two poor victims. However, the deaths might have been prevented if fire safety were mandated for old and new structures alike...and enforced.