Man Dies in House Fire Sparked by Candle
A 79-year-old man died in a house fire sparked by a candle in Lopburi's Muang district early September 15, destroying three homes and partially damaging another. His wife escaped with burns after failing to reach him upstairs as flames spre
A house fire that broke out at 3:30 a.m. on September 15 in Muang Lopburi district has claimed the life of a 79-year-old man. Police received the call about the two-story wooden structure, located behind Prom Masatron Temple, and responded along with firefighters from neighboring municipalities. More than 10 fire trucks from nearby areas were deployed to fight the blaze, which spread rapidly through adjacent houses, destroying three homes completely and partially damaging a fourth. Firefighters took approximately two hours to bring the fire under control.
The victim, identified as Soem (surname withheld), was found burned inside the house with bedding over his body. His 78-year-old wife, Yupin (surname withheld), recounted that the couple had just returned home after selling grilled chicken near the temple. When they tried to turn on the lights, they failed, so they lit a large candle borrowed from the temple and placed it in a plastic water container near the bathroom. After completing their evening tasks, the husband went upstairs to rest while complaining of a headache, and took medicine before sleeping. The wife stayed downstairs and later woke to find the house engulfed in flames. She called out to her husband to flee, but he did not respond. When she tried to go upstairs to help him, she was burned on her skin and unable to reach him. He perished in the fire.
Initial investigation shows the fire caused extensive damage, destroying three adjacent homes entirely and partially damaging a fourth. Authorities are still calculating the total damage.
