20130707 Thailand Four detainees die in blaze at Nonthaburi police station
Thailand Jul 06 2013 “Houses” “Office bldg.”
Dead : dead 1 to 4 Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Four detainees die in blaze at Nonthaburi police station
Updated: 2013-07-08-01:00
The four men were killed in a fire at Sai Noi station, believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.
The fire at 4am yesterday spread quickly after files in a storeroom caught alight. The four detainees, on the first floor, are thought to have died from smoke inhalation.
They were: Jerd Songpoo, allegedly found in illegal possession of guns; Wasant Sornsil, charged with driving under the influence; Wisut Kongyuen, charged with possession of an illicit drug; and Najirapong Wonganan, charged with using a prohibited drug.
Pol Capt Somrak Yensabai said he heard a blast from the room next to the detention room. He then saw the raging fire and burnt his hands. He said he could not breathe, so he dashed out of the station to get help.
Families of the victims came to the police station to curse officers for failing to rescue the suspects. They screamed hysterically while collecting the bodies, and one tried to punch a police officer.
Governor Wichien Phutthiwinyu and Pol Lt Maj Naret Nanthachot, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, calmed them down by promising to investigate further and offering assistance to the next of kin.
Naret said if police were found negligent, they would be subject to disciplinary action.
The station gave each family Bt50,000 as initial compensation.
Naret said the families were more understanding when he explained that the officer on duty had tried to help but he could not find the key as the lights had gone off. The officer was also injured in the blaze. Police on the second floor could not help and got hurt jumping out the window to escape.
Websource:The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Four-detainees-die-in-blaze-at-Nonthaburi-police-s-30209921.html
Date:2013-07-08
Country:Thailand