NONTHABURI, THAILAND – A warehouse packed with luxury cars burned down in Pak Kret on Friday morning, destroying 50 new vehicles and causing damage estimated at 190 million baht.
Blaze swept through warehouse within seconds
According to surveillance footage, a bright white light flashed at about 7:50 a.m. before the fire erupted.
“We assumed it was a short circuit,”
said Flight Officer Ekkarat Sartsanasunthornchai, who was alerted at around 8:30 a.m. Within seconds, the entire warehouse was engulfed and firefighters who rushed to the scene with several engines were unable to stop the spread of the flames.
Fifty luxury vehicles reduced to scrap value
The fire destroyed five supercars worth about 100 million baht and 45 Tesla electric cars valued at a further 90 million baht. The heat was so intense that paint on the high-tech vehicles melted away, leaving only charred metal and twisted alloy parts where millions in assets had stood moments before.
Fire engine also lost as crews retreat
Firefighters from the Om Kret Tambon administration and neighboring areas battled the blaze but were overpowered by the intensity of the fire.
“The flames spread to one of our fire engines,”
said a firefighter in dismay. The crew escaped at the last moment as their own vehicle was consumed by the blaze, highlighting the sheer force of the fire.
Police probe cause amid massive financial loss
While extinguishing work continued, investigators began searching for the exact cause of the fire. Police opened an inquiry to determine whether an electrical fault alone triggered the disaster or if other factors were involved. Owners of the luxury vehicles now faced a severe financial setback, and insurers were expected to closely examine the multimillion-baht claims.
Safety standards in Thai warehouses under scrutiny
Authorities and business operators were left questioning warehouse safety standards in Thailand after even a firefighting vehicle failed to withstand the blaze. The incident raised issues of liability for such large-scale damage and how storage facilities could be better protected in future. The ashes in Nonthaburi were seen not only as a reminder of lost luxury cars, but also as a stark warning to businesses across the country.