SRIRACHA, THAILAND – A dramatic rescue unfolded in the coastal city of Sriracha after a residential fire forced a man to climb onto a rooftop, where firefighters saved him in the final moments before he was overcome by thick smoke.
Morning fire traps man above burning apartment
The blaze broke out around 10:00 a.m. on 26 October 2025 in a third-floor apartment along the 9 Kilo Road, opposite a local school. According to witnesses, dense black smoke quickly poured from the windows of the three-storey mixed-use building.
The trapped resident, 50-year-old Wisit Phakdeesuwan, had initially been standing on the roof when he smelled smoke. On returning to his unit, he found flames already spreading across the room. He later told local officials that he had attempted to extinguish the fire with a chemical fire extinguisher, but the blaze grew too rapidly to control.
Rooftop rescue under heavy smoke
Realising there was no escape, Wisit fled back onto the roof and called for help as smoke thickened around him. Rescue teams arrived to find him struggling to breathe. Firefighters used high-powered fans to disperse the fumes before safely escorting him from the building.
The operation involved four fire trucks from the Surasak and Sriracha municipal fire departments, assisted by the rescue foundation Sawang Prateep Sriracha. Police Lieutenant Sukanya Yupapin from the Sriracha Police Station coordinated the evacuation on the ground. All other residents managed to escape without injury.
Electrical fault suspected
Building owner Sukkaew Chuta said the resident had alerted her just before the fire took hold. Both rushed back with a fire extinguisher, but flames had already engulfed the room. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within 30 minutes, preventing it from spreading beyond the single apartment.
Investigators believe an electrical short circuit likely triggered the fire, though a forensic inspection is underway to confirm the exact cause. Wisit was treated in hospital for mild smoke inhalation and was reported to be in stable condition.
Safety concerns and official response
While the damage was confined to one unit, officials described the material losses as substantial. The incident served as a reminder of the vulnerabilities in Thailand’s older buildings, where outdated electrical wiring and limited fire safety infrastructure remain common.
Local authorities announced plans to toughen inspections of electrical systems in ageing residential blocks. Fire safety advocates emphasised that functioning smoke detectors and accessible fire extinguishers are vital to preventing similar emergencies.
• Electric short circuits are a leading cause of urban fires in Thailand.
• Older mixed-use buildings often lack modern safety systems.
• Residents are urged to check extinguishers and alarms regularly.
For many in Sriracha, the quick response by emergency crews was proof of effective coordination—but also a stark reminder that improved prevention can be the difference between survival and disaster.