A devastating fire swallowed up a four-story commercial building in the heart of Ranong Market area, taking five hours to bring under control. The fire gutted two stores selling religious items, while efforts to prevent further spread were successful.

Today, November 12, the Ranong Municipality Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Team received an urgent report regarding a fire that broke out in a commercial building located in the bustling Bang Non commercial area, Mueang Ranong district, Ranong province.

Immediate coordination with local administrative organizations, including Bang non-subdistrict municipality, Pak Nam subdistrict municipality, Bang Rin municipality and Ranong provincial administrative organization, as well as the Foundation of rescue from Ranong and private tankers, was initiated to fight the fire.

THE fire originated in the third and fourth units of a 14-unit commercial building housing a store selling incense, candles and various other items. It quickly spread from the ground floor to the other levels where stocks were stored, causing the surrounding buildings to be evacuated.

Around 30 fire trucks from various agencies arrived on scene to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent units. The fire was initially limited to the two units but the situation remained precarious.

The burning building was dangerously close, just 2 meters, to the Sri Aru Nothai School, requiring additional reinforcement of 10 fire trucks. School equipment, including musical instruments from four classrooms near the site, was secured to prevent damage.

Market fire

Despite two hours of continuous efforts, the fire persisted. A private crane was brought in to raise firefighters and fire hoses to the second and third floors. Efforts were made to prevent the fire from spreading beyond the two units occupied by the religious goods store.

By the third hour, around 1 a.m., firefighters were still unable to enter the building due to the risk posed by the collapsing awning and steel roof structure. A backhoe was used to dismantle these structures to facilitate firefighting operations, given the depth of the building of more than 20 meters.

Around 3 a.m., despite nearly five hours of rigorous firefighting, the flames were still not completely extinguished. The fire was, however, contained in a limited area.

A local resident reported hearing dogs barking loudly, prompting them to investigate. They observed thick black smoke emanating from the nearby door, accompanied by loud noises resembling firecrackers, which few had noticed initially. As they attempted to alert the store owner, a power outage occurred, forcing them to evacuate their home.

A passerby, dining nearby at a restaurant 30 meters away, mistook the smoke for a trash fire. When they arrived at the incense store, they saw flames at the back of the building, accompanied by the sound of firecrackers.

They quickly alerted the merchant and the firefighters. The delay in the arrival of fire trucks contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Despite the rapid response of several agencies, the fire has already claimed many lives.

Kanathip Sukcharoen, deputy governor of Ranong, was overseeing the situation.

“Around 10 p.m., a fire broke out in a four-story commercial building housing the incense and candle store. The support of all local administrative organizations, including private tankers, prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings. We have evacuated all residents and I am here on behalf of Governor Naris Niramaivong to monitor the situation and assist the affected public.

The firefighting team continued to douse the two-unit building with water to prevent stocks inside from reigniting, in the hope that the fire would be extinguished by the morning. Preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire, KhaoSod reported.

Ranong Provincial Forensic Unit, as well as Ranong City Investigator. Police Station, will continue to examine the scene to determine the final cause.

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