The fire spread to 50 nearby houses and the Wat Phrathat temple. Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd.
A catastrophic fireworks explosion took place during the opening ceremony of the Trut Jeen Suphan Buri Pee Thong Mungkorn Sawan (Chinese New Year in Suphan Buri, the Year of the Heavenly Dragon) festival in downtown Suphan Buri, Photo by Sathien Thuamchan.
The explosion injured 85 people, including 10 monks. Three people were found dead at the scene. Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd.
The Suphan Buri Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department set up a temporary relief centre after the fire was brought under control. Around 200 people have registered for assistance. Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd.
Firefighters reached the scene after the explosion but experienced difficulty containing the blaze as it spread across a 35-rai slum community, packed with hundreds of wooden houses. Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd.
Reports said giant fireworks were set off around 7.30pm, only for them to explode in mid-air and fire debris over the dense community located behind the City Pillar shrine. Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd.
Former Suphan Buri premier Banharn Silpa-archa, who presided over the celebration alongside his brother, Deputy Prime Minister and Chartthaipattana leader Chumpol Silpa-archa, along with the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Surapol Svetasreni, escaped the scene and were not injured. Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd.
Fire trucks were on standby at the event but one vehicle was destroyed by the fire. Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd.
Debris from the fireworks display showered constructions at Wat Phrathat. Several monks' homes were badly damaged. Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd.
The Chinese New Year celebration, scheduled from Jan 24-29, has not been cancelled but the use of fireworks is now strictly prohibited throughout the festival. Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd.
