Chinese New Year Electric Candle Sparks Shop Fire in Chainat

A fire broke out at Saeng Arun Leasing in Chainat province on 16 February 2026, with investigators linking the blaze to an electrical short circuit in a shrine candle. Firefighters from the Chainat Municipality Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office responded quickly, controlling the fire within 20 minutes and preventing spread to neighboring units. The incident occurred when shop staff left an electric candle on at a household shrine during their lunch break. Damage was limited to a wooden wall and office glass, with officials noting that eight fish in a nearby aquarium survived. Fire officials warned the public about the risks of leaving electrical devices unattended, especially during festival periods involving shrines and decorative items.