Family’s home goes up in flames after they did not fully extinguish Chinese New Year prayer candles
A townhouse in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, caught fire on Monday (16 Feb) morning after the family living there did not fully extinguish the candles they had lit for Chinese New Year prayers.
The incident occurred at a home located in the Phra Ngam community, 445 Phra Pathom Chedi subdistrict, within the Nakhon Pathom municipality.
Police officers from Mueang Nakhon Pathom Police Station rushed to the scene after receiving an alert at about 10.30am.
They also coordinated with the city’s rescue foundation and municipal disaster prevention and mitigation unit.
Personnel spent over 20 minutes containing the fire
Upon arrival, a team of personnel, led by Mayor Somchoke Pongkwan, found flames spreading from the second floor of the two-storey concrete townhouse.
Source: Nonthawat Wisutthipat on Facebook
The sight of smoke and fire caused concern among nearby residents.
It took crews more than 20 minutes to contain the fire.
Embers from candles suspected to be the culprit
Following the preliminary investigation, they found damage near a household altar on the second floor, which they believed was the fire’s origin.
Source: Nonthawat Wisutthipat on Facebook
Authorities believe embers from candles used during worship may have ignited nearby flammable materials because they were not fully extinguished.
Prayers held earlier in the day
The homeowner, 72-year-old Thongsuk Chaihawong, said that family members had performed Chinese New Year prayers at the second-floor altar earlier that day, lighting incense sticks and candles.
Source: Nonthawat Wisutthipat on Facebook
After completing the ritual, they reportedly left without completely extinguishing the candles.
No injuries reported in incident
Members of the public informed the authorities after noticing smoke coming from the upper floor.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
Also read: Fire breaks out at shophouse in Little India, police officers & SCDF personnel battle flames
Fire breaks out at shophouse in Little India, police officers & SCDF personnel battle flames
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Featured image adapted from Nonthawat Wisutthipat on Facebook.
