Fire Engulfs Auto Repair Shop in Bangkok
A fire destroyed an auto repair shop in Bangkok early Saturday after a hotel guest allegedly flicked a cigarette onto plastic car parts, with explosions forcing nearby residents to evacuate.
A fire broke out at an auto repair shop early Saturday morning, destroying the structure and causing significant damage to nearby buildings. The shop owner's grandson, Sathira (surname withheld), was resting inside with two employees when he smelled smoke. Upon investigation, he found flames spreading rapidly through a pile of plastic car parts—prime fuel for the fire. He and his staff attempted to extinguish it, but the blaze spread too quickly, forcing them to evacuate and alert firefighters immediately.
Initial investigation suggests a hotel guest staying in an adjacent building may have flicked a cigarette that landed on the plastic car parts, igniting the fire. A similar incident had occurred once before, and the shop had previously warned the hotel to alert its guests. The owner said this was the first such severe incident in his years of operation and requested police to expedite their investigation.
Damage assessment is ongoing, as the shop contained cash, important documents, and numerous used vehicles purchased for parts resale—no customer vehicles were involved. During the fire, periodic explosions were heard, creating vibrations felt across the street in a condominium building. Residents evacuated as thick black smoke engulfed the area and explosions continued, with some resembling gas cylinder detonations.
