20141028 Thailand B10m fire ravages Rong Klua market
Thailand Oct 28 2014 “Stores”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
B10m fire ravages Rong Klua market
Updated: 2014-10-29-10:17
Fire ripped through the Rong Klua market along the Thai-Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo province late Tuesday night, damaging more than 20 clothing shops, mostly run by Cambodian vendors.
No casualties were reported in the blaze that occurred at about 10 pm on Tuesday. Damage was estimated at least 10 million baht.
After being alerted by the Burapha military task force, police at Khlong Luek station of Sa Kaeo province rushed to the scene and found many shops behind the Rong Kua border market’s toilet zone engulfed in flames.
The blaze spread quickly as those shops sold used clothing and sweaters. Strong winds helped spread the flames.
To prevent the fire from ravaging nearby Benjawan market, a officials used a backhoe truck to destroy an entrance to the market.
Hundreds of Cambodians rushed to the scene to see the fire as many fire-gutted shops were run by Cambodian nationals.
Almost 20 fire trucks were initially sent to the scene. Firefighters took almost two hours, but failed to combat the raging fire. More fire trucks from several agencies in Sa Kaeo were immediately deployed, bringing the number of the trucks to 30. The fire was later put under control at around 11.30 pm Tuesday.
Ms Wadee Na, a Cambodian vendor, broke into tears after seeing her clothing shops burned down.
An initial investigation found more than 20 shops were destroyed. Much of the accumulated losses came from sacks of second-hand clothing and sweaters stored for sale during the upcoming cold season.
Police have yet to establish the cause of the fire, which occurred after the border checkpoint closed. Forensic officials will be sent to collect evidence to find out the cause of the fire.
Last month, a fire also broke out at the Rong Klua market. As the structure of the market is crowded with shops, it is hard for fire trucks to enter the premises. The market mostly sells used clothing and shoes that easily catch fire.
Websource:Bangkok post
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/440226/b10m-fire-ravages-rong-klua-market