Early Saturday morning, a voracious fire wreaked havoc on Karon Plaza, a bustling shopping and dining destination in the Muang district of Phuket. Fortunately, amidst the chaotic flames and plumes of smoke, no casualties were reported. The inferno erupted around 1:30 AM, as detailed by Pol Maj Ekkasak Khwanwan, the chief investigator at the Karon police station.
As the alarm was raised, firefighters and fire trucks were promptly dispatched to the scene, battling the fierce blaze for nearly two agonizing hours before finally bringing it under control. Despite their determined efforts, the fire had already ravaged a significant portion of the area. Numerous shops and restaurants, once teeming with life and activity, were left in charred ruins.
The Karon tambon municipality mayor, Jadet Witcharasorn, revealed that the fire rapidly spread to various shops peddling a variety of goods such as clothes, body oil, cream conditioners, and soap. The quick spread of the fire was likely fueled by the flammable nature of these products.
An inspection conducted post-tragedy revealed the staggering extent of the damage: two-thirds of the venue had been obliterated, resulting in an estimated loss of around 43 million baht. In the aftermath, about 20 affected shop owners stepped forward to register their damages with local authorities. Some of these shop owners were fortunate enough to have insurance coverage, which might offer them a lifeline during this difficult time.
In total, more than 30 shops and vending stalls bore the brunt of the devastating fire, leaving behind a somber scene of what was once a vibrant part of the community. With the cause still under investigation, the local authorities are hard at work, piecing together the events leading up to the incident.
As the community begins to grapple with the aftermath, there’s a prevailing sentiment of resilience. The local government and affected business owners are already exploring avenues to rebuild and restore the spirit of Karon Plaza. It’s a daunting task, but one that they are committed to tackling head-on, embodying the unyielding spirit of Phuket.
This is heartbreaking! How could a fire like this spread so quickly?
It’s pretty clear why. A lot of those shops had flammable goods like body oils and soaps.
True, but don’t you think there should have been better safety protocols in place?
John’s right. There should be stricter regulations for such places.
Safety standards are often ignored until something tragic happens.
Glad to hear there were no casualties. Could have been much worse.
Absolutely! Grateful it didn’t happen during operating hours.
But the damage to livelihoods is immense. These shop owners must be devastated.
What will this mean for the local economy? Will the government step in to help?
The government’s probably going to offer some support, but it’s up to the community to rebuild.
I hope so, but they can’t do it alone. They’ll need both.
Insurance might cover some losses, but it’s never enough.
Insurance or not, the emotional impact on these shop owners is huge.
Totally. Seeing your livelihood reduced to ashes is devastating.
And the time it will take to get back on their feet is unimaginable.
I live nearby and could see the smoke from my window. It was terrifying!
These places are often fire hazards waiting to happen. It’s a miracle stuff like this doesn’t happen more often.
Sadly true. Hopefully, this will prompt better regulations.
Any news on the cause? Was it electrical or something else?
Still under investigation, but likely something electrical given the nature of the goods sold there.
Fires like these often start due to unattended electrical issues.
Such unfortunate events remind us of the importance of disaster preparedness.
Agreed. We should all be more proactive in preventing these tragedies.
I’m glad that the community is showing resilience. Phuket has always been known for its unyielding spirit!
Yeah, the community bounce-back will be something to watch.
I wonder if they’ll incorporate better fire safety measures when they rebuild.
Heart goes out to all the affected businesses and families. Hoping for a swift recovery.
This really puts a damper on tourism as well. Karon Plaza was a hotspot for visitors.
Tourism will indeed take a hit. But with proper rebuilding, it can recover.
Such resilience is inspiring. Even after such a significant loss, they are committed to rebuilding.
It’s great to see no casualties, but the local economy is going to suffer a lot.
True. It’ll take a lot of effort and support to get things back on track.
This is a tragedy. There should be an inquiry to prevent future occurrences.
I can’t believe this happened. I used to visit Karon Plaza all the time.
So many of us have fond memories there. It’s a real loss for the community.