Fire in Phuket: Quick action prevents anything worse from happening on the construction site!

Fire in Phuket: Quick action prevents anything worse from happening on the construction site!

On Sunday evening, October 19, at around 9:30 p.m., a fire broke out at a construction site at The Origin Kathu-Patong residential complex in Phuket. The inferno was discovered in the storage room of the building, which is still under construction and located on Phra Phuket Kaew Road, about three kilometers from the Patong Hills. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as the building was unoccupied at the time, which was confirmed by building contractor Worawut Intharamuni.

The fire, which produced significant smoke, may have been due to an electrical short circuit. Short circuits are known to be one of the leading causes of fire incidents in Asia and often result from improper handling of electrical systems. In order to bring the fire under control, the Kathu municipality police and fire brigade were immediately alerted and arrived in record time of just a few minutes. After about 20 minutes, the situation was under control, preventing more serious damage and possible injuries.

Causes and safety precautions

An electrical short circuit, possibly due to faulty wiring, is suspected as the likely cause of the fire. Statistics show that such short circuits are common in Thailand and can be caused by factors such as defective sockets or overloading. Proper electrical maintenance and installation can be crucial to preventing such incidents. If you check the sockets regularly and make sure that only devices with recognized safety standards are used, you could minimize many fire risks.

The disaster also stimulates discussion about safety standards on construction sites. In an environment where flammable materials such as plastic pipes are stored, strict measures must be taken to ensure safety. Investigators from the Phuket Provincial Forensic Science Office will examine the fire scene in more detail to determine the exact circumstances of the incident and to ensure that all building and safety regulations are followed.

Fire brigade and community in action

The quick response by the fire department and police was praised by residents and the building contractor. It is particularly important to recognize dangers and take preventative measures during the construction phase. According to data from the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Service, short circuits are a significant, although not the only, cause of fire disasters in the region. Experience from Europe shows that ongoing training and awareness-raising of construction managers and workers regarding safety precautions is required in order to further minimize the number of fires.

In Phuket, this incident highlights the importance of taking fire hazards in the workplace seriously and ensuring all necessary precautions are taken. The community is required to continue to have a good handle on fire safety to prevent future incidents and ensure that construction sites not only produce beautiful buildings currently, but also respect the safety of everyone.

For further information about fire causes and prevention measures, we recommend visiting the pages of Interrisk Thai and FeuerTrutz.