Electrocuted snake may be cause of Phuket home decor shop fire

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Electrocuted snake may be cause of Phuket home decor shop fire



PHUKET: -- It is possible that a snake may be to blame for the fire that broke out and burned down a home décor shop in Chalong earlier today (Oct 30) when a spark from an exploding power transformer hit the shop’s thatched roof.

The owner of the shop estimates that the total damage caused as a result of the fire is in the region of B2-million.

Chalong police were called to investigate an explosion followed by a fire at a home décor shop on Patak Rd in Chalong close to the Phuket Shooting Range at 11:30 am today.

Pol Maj Thada Sodarak arrived at the burning shop with a team of officers and four fire engines from Chalong and Rawai municipalities to see thick smoke filling the air.

Due to strong winds it took firemen more than an hour to put the fire out, but luckily it was extinguished before it spread to neighbouring properties.

“Inside the shop were home décor items such as wooden furniture, curtains, ceramics and silk. Most of the items burned easily and quickly,” said Pol Maj Thada.

“The shop owner’s bedroom, which was at the rear of the shop was also damaged and all the items inside were lost in the fire. No deaths or injuries were reported,” he added.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/electrocuted-snake-may-be-cause-of-phuket-home-d%C3%A9cor-shop-fire-54759.php

-- Phuket News 2015-10-30

[GarryP]

And how in hell did they find a burned snake in all that? Is that an explanation for the insurance company?

[Tywais]

And how in hell did they find a burned snake in all that? Is that an explanation for the insurance company?

They mentioned transformer. Not the first time that has happened.

[norfolkandchance]

'My dog ate my homework'

[GarryP]

And how in hell did they find a burned snake in all that? Is that an explanation for the insurance company?

They mentioned transformer. Not the first time that has happened.

11-major-causes-power-system-failures-.jpg

True, but wouldn't the transformer be outside and not in the shop. I have seen snake guards on many power poles which have transformers to prevent this. But those transformers were sufficiently far from buildings that there should not have been a fire risk anyway.

[LivinginKata]

And how in hell did they find a burned snake in all that? Is that an explanation for the insurance company?

They mentioned transformer. Not the first time that has happened.

11-major-causes-power-system-failures-.jpg

True, but wouldn't the transformer be outside and not in the shop. I have seen snake guards on many power poles which have transformers to prevent this. But those transformers were sufficiently far from buildings that there should not have been a fire risk anyway.

More than once we have had a snake short out one of our transformers. Quite easy to see the burned out snake. But there really is no reason for any 'short' to burn out a house. The transformer breaker should have blown out the transformer breaker and isolate the house electric supply.

[chainarong]

One wonders what kind of snake, coming from Phuket it could mean anything.

[Sophon]

And how in hell did they find a burned snake in all that? Is that an explanation for the insurance company?

They mentioned transformer. Not the first time that has happened.

11-major-causes-power-system-failures-.jpg

True, but wouldn't the transformer be outside and not in the shop. I have seen snake guards on many power poles which have transformers to prevent this. But those transformers were sufficiently far from buildings that there should not have been a fire risk anyway.

Yes, the transformer would be outside, that why they said:

...when a spark from an exploding power transformer hit the shop’s thatched roof.

It's normal here for a transformer to be located quite close to buildings (or for building to be built close to existing transformers).

Sophon

Edited October 30, 2015 by Sophon

[monkey4u]

And how in hell did they find a burned snake in all that? Is that an explanation for the insurance company?

It was an exploding snake

Very common to find them in shops that are not doing so good

[godden]

2 mil for a bit of bamboo and thatch, game for a laugh.

[bangon04]

"Electrocuted snake may be cause of Phuket home decor shop fire"

I just think that is a great headline. Not often you would see a headline like this in the real world....

[Bung]

Ive seen and heard about 3 transformers explode in Thailand. Once i saw one on fire in loh kroh rd. They never get maintained properly. The oil is hygroscopic and so will absorb moisture. Plenty of that in the tropics. They normally have a cannister of dessicant attached to absorb moisture which needs to be changed occasionally but never is.

[natway09]

Roast snake,,,, Yummy