Udon Thani temple’s rice husk pagoda destroyed by fire, Buddha saved

A revered temporary rice husk pagoda at Wat Nakathewi in Udon Thani province was engulfed in flames last night, leaving behind a charred metal framework. At 9pm yesterday (February 5), local disaster prevention and mitigation officials were alerted to the fire,

which rapidly consumed the structure despite the efforts of firefighters, temple committee members, and residents. Notably, the temple’s cherished ‘Luang Por Nak’ Buddha was saved from the blaze, unlike other statues that were blackened by the fire.

The fire broke out at the temporary rice husk pagoda, situated beside the main temple hall at Wat Nakathewi, engulfing the revered structure adorned with dried rice sheaves and decorative lights. Initial attempts to quell the flames with water proved futile as the dry rice husks fueled the fire, which destroyed the pagoda…