PHUKET, THAILAND – A massive fire broke out shortly after midnight, destroying a large worker camp and forcing over 500 residents to flee, with firefighters bringing the blaze under control in just over an hour. The fire started around 00:15 AM opposite the Ban Bang Jo water production station in Sri Sunthorn Subdistrict and was prevented from spreading to residential homes.
Fire erupts in the middle of the night
Flames shot high into the night sky shortly after midnight, accompanied by thick smoke, as residents fled their dormitories. More than 500 people scrambled to safety, with some attempting to salvage personal belongings.
The blaze began around 00:15 AM in a camp located opposite the Ban Bang Jo water production station in Sri Sunthorn Subdistrict. Responders encountered dense black smoke and sporadic explosions upon arrival.
Camp: over a Rai, fenced with corrugated iron
The affected worker camp, covering more than a rai, was enclosed by corrugated iron sheeting, according to emergency personnel. Inside the compound, rows of densely packed dormitories were situated close to a residential area.
The close proximity of the structures and the metal cladding, combined with explosions, exacerbated the heavy smoke and complicated rescue and firefighting efforts.
Large deployment: more than 10 fire trucks in action
Firefighting teams from Sri Sunthorn, Cherng Talay Municipality, and the Cherng Talay Subdistrict Administration Organization deployed more than ten fire trucks and seven water cannons. The crews worked to extinguish the fire from multiple directions.
After more than an hour of intense firefighting, emergency crews managed to suppress the flames and prevent their spread to neighboring houses.
Panic and rescue attempts by workers
Workers ran back and forth between buildings, attempting to secure possessions, while families fled the camp in panic. Scenes depicted individuals striving to get themselves and their children to safety.
The coordinated firefighting operation kept the danger to the surrounding residential area in check, but many residents lost their belongings and now face an uncertain rebuilding process.
Police suspect short circuit – forensic experts investigating
Initial police investigations suggest an electrical short circuit as a potential cause, with forensic investigators from Phuket Province called in for further examination. Authorities are currently assessing the extent of the material damage and losses.
The coordinated firefighting operation kept the danger to the surrounding residential area in check, but many residents lost possessions.
said unnamed official, Fire Department.