SRI RACHA, THAILAND – A Toyota van being towed to safety after a breakdown was completely destroyed by fire in the early hours of Thursday in Sri Racha district, Chonburi province, officials confirmed.
Rescue attempt turns to destruction
The vehicle, registered in Bangkok, had broken down along Sukhumvit Road shortly after 1:00 a.m., just before the Sri Racha District Office. According to authorities, the van’s driver—a young woman—had contacted her father when the engine suddenly malfunctioned. He arrived in a pickup truck to tow the disabled van off the main road.
As the pair moved toward the district office grounds, thick smoke began rising from the van’s engine compartment. Within moments, flames spread rapidly across the vehicle. The father stopped immediately, but the fire grew too intense to contain.
Firefighters’ rapid response
The Sri Racha Municipal Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Radio Center received the emergency call at around 1:10 a.m. and dispatched two fire engines—Koh Loy 2 and Koh Loy 82—to the scene. Crews brought the blaze under control within 15 minutes, leaving the van reduced to a blackened frame.
No one was injured in the incident, authorities confirmed. Firefighters credited the quick response and the fact that both the driver and her father exited their vehicles promptly.
Possible cause under investigation
Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been triggered by a fuel leak in the oil system. Investigators believe leaked fuel likely came into contact with a spark, causing immediate ignition.
Officials are continuing to examine the wreckage to determine the exact source of the malfunction. They advised drivers to exercise caution when towing broken-down vehicles, especially those powered by gasoline, citing the danger of leaking fuel and electrical sparks.
• Fire suspected to have started from a fuel system leak
• Flames engulfed entire vehicle within minutes
• No casualties or injuries reported
• Cause remains under investigation by local authorities
The Sri Racha Municipal office said it would review the response process and share safety recommendations once the final report is complete.
“EARLY DETECTION AND SAFE DISTANCE ARE CRUCIAL WHEN TOWING VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE FUEL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUES,”
one disaster prevention official stated, emphasizing the importance of proper roadside safety practices.
While the destroyed van now serves as a charred reminder on the office grounds, officials noted that the swift response prevented further damage or injury in the busy coastal district.