CHIANG MAI – A wooden house in Saraphi district burned to the ground Thursday morning. The residents escaped unhurt, but the home was completely destroyed.
Police believe an electrical short circuit sparked the blaze. The fire broke out shortly before 11:30 am in the Yang Noeng sub-district.
Mother spots smoke, warns family
Smoke billowed from the building just before 11:30 am. A relative said his mother discovered the fire and raised the alarm — while his father worked in the garden and he was busy across the street.
Both parents got outside in time. Homeowner Boonma Chitban, 69, also escaped unhurt. Neighbours helped evacuate and hastily grabbed belongings from nearby houses.
Flames from the roof, firefighters battle for an hour
When the first fire trucks from Yang Noeng and neighbouring Ku Suea arrived, thick flames shot from the roof. Smoke hung over the area, visible from far away. Crews fought mainly to stop the fire spreading to adjacent homes.
After about an hour, they brought the blaze under control. By then the wooden house was fully alight. Firefighters managed to protect other buildings, the district administration later confirmed.
800,000 baht damage and no insurance
Boonma Chitban’s house burned almost completely. Police preliminary estimates put the property loss at about 800,000 baht. The exact damage is still being assessed.
According to neighbours, the building had no insurance coverage. No one was injured, but the 69-year-old and his family have lost their home entirely.
Electrical short circuit suspected as cause
Several witnesses believe a technical fault triggered the fire. Police in Saraphi also suspect a short circuit as the most likely cause. The owner did not dispute this, authorities said.
Investigations into the exact source of the fire have begun. Officers currently rule out third-party involvement. Further technical examinations are planned.
Family left homeless, possible fundraising efforts
For the 69-year-old and his relatives, the search for shelter now begins. The burnt-out wooden house is uninhabitable. Whether relatives or neighbours will take the victims in temporarily remains unclear.