Main SuperCheap in Phuket Town demolished in blaze
PHUKET: The main SuperCheap in Phuket burst into flames tonight, turning into an unstable inferno and sending a cloud of black smoke over a kilometer into the air.
Every fire truck in Phuket was called to the scene on as well as trucks from nearby provinces. Fire fighters have yet to control the flames but are focusing on containing the fire and preventing the flames from igniting neighboring signs and trees.
The store on Thepkrasattri Road was still open when the fire broke out at about 9pm, and bystanders reported hearing cries of help from inside the building. It is not known how many people were in the building at the time.
At about 11:15pm a victim was rushed to Vachira Hospital, a man about 40-years old.
One early report said that a short circuit started the fire, which spread to the firecracker section of the store. Another report said the short circuit had ignited gas tanks.
Witnesses heard explosions, a rescue worker with the Kusoldharm foundation told the Phuket Gazette. Occasional explosions continued to rock the facility hours after the blaze started.
Phuket Gazette
