Couple Dies in Bathroom as House Fire Spreads, 12 Vehicles Damaged
A fire fueled by electrical fault killed a couple in their bathroom and destroyed a tire shop with 12 vehicles in Rayong on September 11, with the blaze suspected to have started from a faulty water heater in their bedroom.
On September 11, 2026, officers from Rayong Provincial Police examined a house and tire shop destroyed by fire along Sukhumvit Road in Mab Tapud subdistrict, Muang Rayong district. The fire broke out in the middle of the night, killing Vorasit, 70, and Phonnipha, 60, the owners of the house, who died in the bathroom.
The fire spread to the tire shop, damaging a total of 12 vehicles—both customer cars parked at the shop and the owner's vehicles. Of these, 8 cars were completely destroyed and 4 were partially damaged. Additionally, 2 motorcycles were destroyed by the fire.
Ananth Jemkhunthod, the tire shop manager, revealed that the owner's son normally stayed at the shop after closing. During the fire, the son managed to escape without injury. The owner's vehicles at the shop sustained heavy losses, with 5 of his own cars completely burned.
According to forensic investigators, preliminary examination found signs of electrical short circuit at an electric water heater in the couple's bedroom. This sparked and ignited cardboard boxes and numerous stored items accumulated in the bedroom, which served as excellent fuel, causing the fire to spread rapidly. The fire apparently spread so intensely that the couple could not control it and ran into the bathroom to hide before succumbing to smoke inhalation. Forensic officers will conduct a detailed inspection before submitting findings to Mab Tapud police station for further legal proceedings.
