Man Accidentally Burns Down His Home in Pattaya for the Second Time
In the early hours of January 13th, a fire engulfed a ramshackle home in Pattaya after its sole occupant, Mr. Somrak Kwanrueng, accidentally left a mosquito coil burning near his sofa. This marks the second time the 49-year-old has unintentionally burned down his home, the first incident occurring last year due to a mishap involving smoking and gasoline.
The fire broke out at 7:00 AM at an unnumbered hut across from the Pattaya Provincial Court on Thapphraya Road. Pattaya police, firefighters, and disaster prevention teams responded promptly with a fire truck. A crowd of onlookers, including local residents and tourists, gathered as firefighters battled the flames for over 30 minutes to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby makeshift homes.
Neighbors identified Mr. Somrak as the owner of the house. Known for collecting cans and bottles beneath his home, neighbors reported that his hoarding habits had previously contributed to similar incidents. They recounted last year’s fire, caused by Mr. Somrak smoking while handling gasoline, and expressed their frustrations about the recurring danger.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Somrak admitted to leaving the mosquito coil unattended and falling asleep. He awoke to find flames near his feet and attempted to extinguish them with water, but the fire had spread too quickly. Fortunately, he escaped uninjured and immediately sought help.
Despite this second catastrophic loss, Mr. Somrak remains undeterred. True to his resilient spirit, he expressed determination to rebuild his home once again.
While this incident ended without injuries, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and the risks posed by unattended flammable items, especially in cluttered environments. Local authorities continue to investigate the case and provide assistance to prevent similar events in the future.