Fierce blaze destroys 14 houseboats in western Thailand

A fierce blaze at Saiyok Mantra Resort in Kaeng Pralom village caused 10 million baht worth of damage and destroyed 14 of the 16 houseboats on the Khwae Noi River in western Thailand yesterday afternoon. There were no casualties reported.

Police Captain Kasan Para, a duty investigator in Sai Yok district, revealed the fire started at around 3.45pm.

Firefighters from multiple cities were dispatched to a river bend where 16 houseboats were moored together.

The blaze started on a boat with a pool and rapidly spread, engulfing 14 boats made of flammable materials like thatched roofs. The fire was put out by 6.30pm but the damage was estimated at 10 million baht, reported Bangkok Post.

No injuries were reported. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause.

A member of the Kanchanaburi Rescue Foundation suggested all houseboats have portable water pumps for emergencies.

The…