Fire destroys Khon Kaen mall and shophouses

Damage of 50m baht, no injuries

By Sumeth Wannapruek

Fire raged through a shopping mall and neighbouring shophouses in front of a police station in Muang district on Friday, causing an estimated 50 million baht in damage. No casualties were reported. The fire swept through Sentosa shopping mall in Bang Lamphu Fresh Market at around 9.30pm, sparking chaos in the nearby area, with businesses fearing the fire could spread.

More than 40 fire trucks were called to try and tackle the blaze. The area was cordoned off due to fears the building could collapse.

The sound of gas explosions could be heard coming from inside the fire-gutted building as firefighters struggled to bring the blaze under control.

Power supply to the area was also severed, causing blackouts in three nearby shophouses, sending residents into a panic to try and salvage belongings.

It took firefighters more than four hours to bring the fire under control.

More than 20 units of a nearby commercial building including the shopping mall were destroyed.

Suthat Tur-nongna, 42, a security guard, said the mall and nearby commercial buildings were closed at 9pm.

He said he heard a bang from a storeroom on the third floor in the west side of the mall at around 9.20pm before the fire quickly spread throughout the floor and nearby shophouses.

Police said an electrical short-circuit could have triggered the blaze.

However, the mall's managing director Sanchai Chinchaturapat said he did not believe a short-circuit was the cause of the blaze as the building was rewired just three months ago after a small fire last November.

He said arson should not be ruled out.

Bangkok Post
Sunday February 11, 2007