A lightning strike led to a house fire in Samut Prakan, Thailand, early this morning, causing severe damage but no injuries. The blaze erupted in a two-storey home, with the downstairs made of concrete and the upstairs of wood. Firefighters were able to control the fire after an hour of battling the intense flames.
The incident occurred at 2.10am, today, October 30, prompting police and fire services to respond quickly to the scene on U-Thong 18 Alley, Phraeksa Road, in the Thaibanmai area. When they arrived, they found the fire raging fiercely, with thick smoke enveloping the house. Rescue teams from Bangpu Municipality and the Samut Prakan Foundation also assisted in the efforts.
Chalo, the 71 year old owner of the house, recounted the harrowing experience. She was asleep on the second floor when the thunderous sound of lightning startled her awake. Smelling smoke, she rushed downstairs to find flames already consuming her home.
In a state of shock, she managed to escape unharmed. Chalo mentioned that she lived alone and had not left any electrical devices plugged in except for the refrigerator. She also noted that she used only a charcoal stove for cooking and had not used a gas cylinder.
“I was so shocked. I didn’t leave anything plugged in except the fridge. I don’t understand how this happened.”
Thannida, a 29 year old neighbour, described how her American Bully dog’s persistent barking alerted her to the danger. Her partner went to investigate and discovered the neighbouring house ablaze. They immediately called the police and attempted to douse the flames with a hose but the fire was too intense and quickly spread throughout the house, said Thannida.
“My dog wouldn’t stop barking, so my partner went to check and saw the fire. We tried to help with a hose, but it was no use.”
Currently, the cause of the fire remains undetermined. Police plan to collaborate with the forensic team to conduct a detailed investigation to ascertain the precise cause of the blaze, reported KhaoSod.
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