Couple Dies in Rayong House Fire That Spreads to Tire Shop
A couple died in a house fire that spread to an attached tire shop in Rayong's Mab Ta Phut area early September 11, with the pair overcome by smoke while sheltering in a bathroom as firefighters battled the blaze for 30 minutes.
A house and tire shop attached to it caught fire and spread rapidly along Sukhumvit Road in Mab Ta Phut subdistrict, Muang district, Rayong province, in the early hours of September 11. The Mab Ta Phut Police dispatch received the emergency call and responded with six fire engines from Mab Ta Phut Municipality and Rayong City Municipality. Firefighters spent approximately 30 minutes spraying water to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby properties.
After the fire was extinguished, officials found two bodies in the bathroom. They were identified as a man aged approximately 70 and a woman aged approximately 60, a husband-and-wife couple who owned the house. The man rented the front portion to operate a tire shop. Both had attempted to escape but could not exit in time and took shelter in the bathroom, where they were overcome by smoke. Several vehicles parked at the house and tire shop were also destroyed, including customer vehicles and the owner's cars.
Rayong City Municipality secretary Danai Wiriyasahakij stated that the fire originated inside the house and spread quickly, leaving the couple no time to escape. Initial investigation has not yet determined whether the cause was an electrical short circuit or accumulated materials stored inside the house. Officials estimate total damage at not less than 10 million baht. Evidence technicians plan to conduct a detailed examination of the scene to determine the exact cause of the fire.
