Firefighters arrived promptly at the scene, the alley between the Siam Commercial Bank and the Krungsri Bank on Ratsada Rd, and were able to control the blaze in about 10 minutes.
However, a a white Toyota Fortuner, where the fire started, was completely destroyed, and a grey Subaru Forester parked next to it sustained side and interior damage. Both vehicles were registered in Phuket.
According to the Fortuner’s owner, the fire may have been caused by firecrackers.
He explained that firecrackers had been placed in the back of the vehicle earlier in the day, and after watching the shrine’s procession, children threw some live firecrackers in the back of the car. As he started the engine, he heard a popping sound and quickly exited the vehicle before the fire erupted.
The police are continuing their questioning of the owner of the Fortuner and have called in forensic officers to conduct a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire.
Police are also investigating a car fire in Chaofa Garden Home in Koh Kaew early yesterday morning during which a white Toyota Fortuner with Bangkok licence plates was damaged.
Police were called to the scene, where the car was parked on Soi 16 in the residential village, at 9:25am.
The car’s owner, Phontep Siwilaitan, was present at the site and reported that the vehicle had caught fire at approximately 5am. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Further investigations are underway to determine the reason behind the incident, with no suspects identified so far.
Following the incident last night, Phuket City Police issued a statement, noting, “Phuket City Police Station would like to inform everyone to be careful when lighting firecrackers, lighting incense sticks and paying homage to deities. Please always check the area to prevent fires that may occur.
“We would like to invite our fellow citizens and tourists to be confident in safety and come to the event. Vegetarian Festival in Phuket Province 2024.”
FIRECRACKER RULES
On Wednesday (Oct 2), Phuket officials publicly posted an order by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat signed into effect on Oct 29, stipulating all the standard warnings and regulations regarding the use of fireworks.
The regulations, reissued every year just before the Vegetarian Festival, mark that all vendors of fireworks and firecrackers must have permits to do so.
The use of firecrackers called ‘ba chang’, rose, rocket, chicken egg, and firecrackers that shoot forward, or other similar objects, “can cause others to suffer and harm their bodies”, the regulations also noted.
Such incendiaries are not considered not a practice of the Vegetarian Festival, the order by Governor Sophon said.
Hence, the use of such fireworks and firecrackers was banned under Section 47 of the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks and Imitation Firearms Act.
People found violating the act faced punishment of up to three years in jail or a fine of up to B50,000, or both, the Governor warned.