Car hits Hat Yai gas shop, causing explosion

Car hits Hat Yai gas shop, causing explosion

A firefighter puts out a fire at a cooking gas shop in Hat Yai district of Songkhla province after a car rammed into the building on Sunday. (Photo and video by Assawin Pakkawan)
A firefighter puts out a fire at a cooking gas shop in Hat Yai district of Songkhla province after a car rammed into the building on Sunday. (Photo and video by Assawin Pakkawan)

SONGKHLA -- A shop selling cooking gas and equipment in the heart of Hat Yai city was destroyed by fire after a car with three occupants rammed into it early Sunday.

The incident occurred at about 4.30am when a Toyota Yarris car driven by Chamnong Poonsri, 33, skidded off Rat Uthis road into Hat Yai Union Gas shop at the corner of Soi 11.

The violent impact ignited a fire, which quickly spread all over the shop.  The blaze caused about a hundred gas cyclinders to explode, leaving the building in flames.

Fire engines of the Hat Yai Municipality were able to extinguish the fire at about 7.30am, three hours after it started. The entire shop, its gas cylinders and other cooking equipment were completely destroyed, as was the Toyota Yarris.

Somsak Phetphupha, the shop owner, said the shop is covered by an insurance policy.  The actual damages have yet to be assessed.

The electricity supply to the area was cut off briefly for safety reasons during the fire.

Mr Chamnong, the driver of the Toyota Yarris, said the incident took place while he taking two friends, Kongsak Chaiyawong, 23, and Tanyamas Suwanno, 24, back from a birthday party for Mr Kongsak.  

Mr Chamnong said Mr Kongsak had been asleep, but suddenly woke up, and for some reason hit him in the face and and tried to strangle him.  This caused him to lose control of the car, which mounted the pavement and rammed into the gas shop, said Mr Chamnong.

Fortunately, all three of them managed to escape the car with minor injuries, said Mr Chamnong, who sustained a head wound.

The three were taken to Hat Yai police station for questioning and a drug test.  Police said that if they were found to have used drugs, they would be charged with drug abuse in addition to reckless driving. 

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT