TAK: A fire broke out at a three-storey commercial building in the heart of the border town of Mae Sot, opposite Myanmar's Myawaddy town across the Moei river, on Sunday morning. The fire caused about 30 million baht damage.
Shortly after 1am, about 15 fire engines from the Mae Sot Municipality and nearby local administrations, with hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers, were despatched to the commercial building with four shop fronts located in the middle of Pha Charoen market, on Mae Sot's main road.
Chaiyapruek Chianthanrak, the Mae Sot district chief, said the fire started in a shop belonging to Vinai Market Company where dried foods, plastic bags and foam boxes were stored. Nobody was in the shop when the fire broke out.
While firefighters were spraying water into the shop, there was a loud explosion followed by a huge sheet of flame that quickly engulfed the whole building, prompting traders in nearby shops to flee with their belongings.
The fire was brought under control after about five hours, by which time most of the goods stored inside the building were destroyed. The damage was initially estimated at 30 million baht.
Two of the four shops in the building were badly damaged. The commercial building has been cordoned off for fear that it may collapse.
The fire was said to be the largest in Mae Sot in 15 years. There were no reports of deaths or injuries.
An investigation is now underway to establish the cause of the fire.