Tourists climb to safety as fire hits 8-story building in Phuket
Tourists climb to safety as fire hits 8-story building in Phuket — confirmed details at this stage for Phuket readers.
A fire broke out in an eight-story building in Patong, Kathu district, Phuket, on May 16, prompting a rescue operation for tourists and other occupants trapped on the upper floors. Police said some people tried to climb out of the building to escape as Patong municipal disaster prevention and mitigation officers moved in to control the blaze.
The building housed a massage shop, a restaurant and residential rooms with occupants inside when the fire started. Responding officers were led by Lt. Seeda Promthong, a deputy investigation inspector at Patong Police Station, after the report was relayed to station chief Col. Korakrit Khankhruea.
Damage centered on first-floor restaurant kitchen
Firefighters brought the blaze under control, with most of the damage found among kitchen items inside the first-floor restaurant, officials said.
One female resident suffered smoke inhalation. Officers gave first aid at the scene before sending her to a nearby hospital.
Investigators said strong storm winds swept through the area before the fire. Witnesses then heard a power transformer behind the building explode, followed by thick smoke spreading through the structure and the outbreak of flames.
Police have not concluded the cause of the fire. Phuket forensic officers must examine the scene before the cause can be confirmed.
Source: https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/5865268/
