MAE HONG SON - A fire destroyed living quarters at a refugee camp in Muang district late on Wednesday night, leaving about 200 Karen residents homeless.
A total of 36 huts in Ban Mai Nai Soi camp’s pok (living zone) 5 in Pang Moo were reduced to ashes by the blaze, that broke out about 10.45pm on Wednesday. There were no reports of casualties, Pisit Kitbunanan, chief of Muang district of Mae Hong Son, said after inspecting the devastated area on Thursday morning.
The cause of the fire was not known. Authorities were investigating
Ban Mai Nai Soi camp houses about 8,000 Karen refugees who fled fighting in Myanmar. There are 20 living zones at the camp.
Mae Hong Son governor Suebsak Iamwicharn and senior officials went to the camp to distribute relief packages to the dispossessed refugees.
Refugees walk through the living area destroyed by fire at Mae Hong Son's Ban Mai Nai Soi camp on Thursday morning. (Photo by Cheewin Sattha)
Two Karen whose hut is next to the burned out area return to their abode, and salvage their belongings. (Photo by Cheewin Sattha)