A blaze at a popular market in northeast Thailand sent vendors fleeing and left five people in hospital, with police investigating a suspected electrical short circuit.
The fire broke out at Sam Yaek Thai Rung Market in Khon Kaen on Tuesday (2 June), spreading through a large warehouse that stored highly flammable goods near a residential area.
Nearly 20 fire engines were sent to the scene at 6:30 p.m. local time as emergency crews evacuated residents and cordoned off the market. Footage from the area showed black smoke rising above the site, with intermittent explosions heard as fuel tanks ignited.
Vendors fled as the blaze grew rapidly through the market area. The fire engulfed the warehouse and forced crews to keep people away from the surrounding streets while firefighters worked to stop the flames moving further.
Witness Rojana Srisongmuang, 53, who runs a food stall opposite the market, said vendors were preparing for business when they heard people shouting that smoke was rising from the centre of the market.
"When I looked, I saw a huge cloud of smoke and flames. The heat spread across the road and everyone started panicking," she said.
Noodle shop owner Patiwat Saengtawee, 28, said he first thought the smoke was coming from a rubbish fire, but the situation changed quickly before the fire department could be called.
"The smoke wasn't very big at first. I asked my mother to call the fire department, but before she could, the flames suddenly spread and thick black smoke poured out," he said.
Five people, including the market owner and workers, were injured and taken to Khon Kaen Hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition. Officials said the fire was brought under control at 10 p.m., although firefighters initially could not enter the market because of collapsing debris.
City police chief Police Colonel Yosawat Kaewsubthanynit said firefighters were still at the scene at 9 a.m. after the blaze. He said two people, a store employee and the warehouse owner, sustained burn injuries to their arms.
"An investigation is underway to determine the cause and origin of the fire. Initial estimates put the damage at up to 10 million baht, as it was a large warehouse containing many everyday consumer goods, including mattresses, pillows, mosquito nets, and linoleum," Yosawat said.
Authorities believe an electric short circuit may have sparked the fire, but officials said further investigation was needed to determine the cause and origin of the blaze.
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