SATAN: Nine fishing tour boats caught fire at Pakbara pier in Langu district on Saturday morning.
The fire broke out on the third boat moored at the pier before quickly spreading to nearby vessels. Loud explosions were sporadically heard, Thai media reported.
Langu district chief Thanee Hayeemasale sent firemen and fire trucks to the pier to douse the raging fire. However, the efforts were challenging because each boat was made of wood and held at least 100 litres of fuel oil, as well as cooking gas cylinders. About 30 other fishing tour boats nearby were sucessfully moved out of the fire zone.
It took firemen about an hour to put out the fire, which damaged nine boats. Some of the fire-gutted vessels later sank.
Authorities said the cause of the fire was not yet known. Boat operators were uncertain whether the blaze was caused by a short circuit or not. The damage was being estimated but some Thai media put it at around 8 million baht.
Nine fishing tour boats at Pakbara pier in Satun catch fire on Saturday morning. (Photos taken from Suesarn Dabploeng Koopai Facebook page)