Chaos at Prominent Ayutthaya Hospital as Fire Breaks Out in Lab, Patients and Visitors Evacuated

A fire broke out in the medical technology laboratory on the second floor of the Vasana Karun Building at Somdet Phra Sangkharat Hospital in Bo Phong Subdistrict, Nakhon Luang District, Ayutthaya Province at approximately 2:00 AM on May 11, 2025. Lieutenant Colonel Charoenchai Phosarasat, the investigation officer from Nakhon Luang Police Station, responded along with firefighting units from local government organizations and emergency personnel from the Putai Sawanyai Foundation.

Thick smoke billowed from the building as firefighters immediately sprayed water to prevent the fire from spreading to other hospital buildings. The situation was brought under control after about 30 minutes of firefighting efforts. Staff, nurses, and rescue volunteers urgently evacuated approximately 20 patients on wheelchairs from the building to outdoor areas. Five critical patients were transferred by ambulance for temporary care while smoke was being ventilated and the situation controlled amid the chaos.

Initial investigation revealed the fire originated from a computer desk within the medical technology laboratory, which was completely destroyed along with ceiling and wall damage. Neing, 54, a patient's relative, reported hearing a fire alarm around 1:30 AM and initially thought it was a routine alert before nurses rushed in ordering an immediate evacuation due to the fire. She was deeply frightened by the massive smoke covering the entire building.

Fo Phong Subdistrict firefighters disclosed that upon receiving the alert, they immediately brought equipment to the site, discovering the fire on the second floor. They deployed water nozzles and had to open windows for ventilation while using smoke extraction equipment to control the situation. The computer desk was completely destroyed by the fire.

Investigation officers documented the incident scene as evidence and are examining the laboratory. The preliminary cause is suspected to be an electrical short circuit from a plugged-in computer combined with hot weather conditions, though forensic examination is still pending to confirm the actual cause. After the fire was extinguished, non-critical patients were transferred to other hospital buildings, while critical patients remained in rescue vehicles for safety. The incident resulted in no injuries or fatalities.