Fire razes 100-year-old house in Thailand
Fire destroyed a 100-year-old teak house in Suphan Buri, Thailand, on 6 Sept.
The blaze forced the 78-year-old homeowner to jump into a nearby canal to save his life.
House fully engulfed in flames when responders arrived
The fire broke out at around noon at a home along the Chao Chet-Bang Yi Hon Canal.
After the police were alerted to the incident, firefighters from nearby areas and the Samokan Suphan Buri Rescue Foundation were dispatched to the scene.
Source: Tnews
When the responders arrived, the wooden house was already fully engulfed in flames, Tnews reported.
Firefighters spent around 30 minutes containing the blaze and preventing it from spreading to neighbouring houses.
Despite their efforts, the house where the fire originated was completely destroyed.
Meanwhile, the adjacent traditional-style home sustained damage to three refrigerators, kitchen equipment and several electrical appliances.
Elderly owner escaped through canal
The owner of the destroyed house, 78-year-old La-or (name transliterated from Thai), said he was chatting with relatives at a nearby house after lunch when someone noticed smoke rising from his home.
Source: Tnews
When he went to check, the house was filled with thick smoke, leaving him unable to enter.
To escape the flames, he jumped into the canal beside the house and made his way to a staircase to escape to safety.
Mr La-or shared that the teak house had been passed down through his family for more than 100 years.
It contained around THB20,000 (around S$60) in cash from government flood compensation and elderly allowance payments, along with personal belongings and television sets.
The damage to his home is estimated to be over THB400,000 (around S$15,000).
Authorities investigate exact cause of fire
After the fire was put out, rescue workers recovered a metal chest where Mr La-or had kept his savings.
However, the chest was badly damaged, with only a few old coins and Buddhist amulets surviving.
Source: AmarinTV
Mr La-or recalled seeing flames near a kitchen cupboard at the back of the house, but authorities have yet to determine the cause of the blaze.
Police will coordinate with forensic investigators to examine the scene and identify the origin of the fire before taking further action.
Also read: House fire in Thailand kills 2 people & 30 cats trapped in cages
House fire in Thailand kills 2 people & 30 cats trapped in cages
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
