Freak overhead short-circuit explodes truck, fire engulfs house
A micro truck exploded after sparks from a short-circuit in overhead electrical wires fell on its natural-gas tank in Bangkok overnight.
The explosion of the modified “Kapor” Daihatsu Hijet micro truck caused a fire to spread and engulf a nearby house in Bangkok’s Bang Khunthien district, said Pol Lieutenant Karan Malaiwong of the local precinct.
Nobody was hurt in the 2am freak accident on Soi Chomthong 14. Firefighters and three fire engines took 30 minutes to put out the blaze.
The two-storey house was used as a residence for his 12 workers, said homeowner Diphot Kittinartkamthorn, 45, whose machine shop next door was untouched.
He said a worker spotted the high-voltage wire’s short circuit sparks and old wires on to the micro truck parked right below it, and so alerted police and took a video clip of the incident.
The heat caused the micro truck’s gas tank to explode, quickly spreading fire to the house, but the 12 workers evacuated to a safer spot in time.
Forensic officers will inspect the scene to determine the cause of fire and police will summon witnesses, Karan said.
