Lightning Strike Guts Famous Chanthaburi Durian Warehouse
A lightning strike ignited a massive fire at the well-known Hia Pat-Je Na durian warehouse in Chanthaburi, destroying the building and its stock of plastic pallets and cardboard packaging. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within two hours, but remain on site monitoring for flare-ups due to heat retained in the burned materials. No injuries were reported, and police are investigating the exact cause while assessing damages.
At 17:20 on November 4, 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Phuwadech Chongjairak, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) of Thung Benja Police Station, received a report via radio center of a fire at the 'Hia Pat-Je Na' fruit warehouse in Moo 12, Sukhumvit Road, Song Phi Nong Subdistrict, Tha Mai District, Chanthaburi Province. He proceeded to inspect the scene along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Akkhaphong Sunthonwiphat, Deputy Commander of Chanthaburi Provincial Police Region 2, and Thung Benja police officers to monitor the situation closely.
At the scene, fire was raging in the rear warehouse where plastic pallets and cardboard boxes for packing durians were stored, before spreading violently and causing the building structure to collapse. Initially, no injuries were reported.
From preliminary investigation, the building caretaker stated that before the incident, he heard a loud lightning strike near the warehouse, then discovered the fire breaking out. He immediately notified police to coordinate assistance. The exact cause is still under investigation.
As of 19:00, officials have managed to control the fire and the flames have subsided, but they continue to inspect and monitor closely for re-ignition because the burned materials were plastic pallets and durian packing boxes, which may retain accumulated heat inside the piles. The value of damage is being assessed. Authorities request public cooperation to avoid the damaged building area and allow officials to work conveniently. Source: Police Lieutenant Colonel Thorathep Thupanich.
