Historic I-Nguan Hotel Destroyed in Saraburi Fire: Community Reacts

Late last night, the sultry air of Saraburi, typically draped in the comforting sounds of local nightlife, was instead pierced by the cacophony of shrill sirens and crackling flames. At the heart of it all, the venerable I-Nguan Hotel – a symbol of the city’s rich history for over half a century – met its fiery demise, casting a red glow that mirrored the city’s collective shock and nostalgia.

It was precisely 10:20 p.m. when Police Lieutenant Colonel Paitoon Pankluaymai, ever-vigilant at the Mueang Saraburi District Police Station, received the distressing call. An inferno had erupted at the beloved hotel, conveniently nestled near the bustling railway station that frequently ushers travelers into the province. What had once been a haven for weary tourists and inquisitive local explorers was now a blazing inferno threatening to consume both history and hope.

With swift coordination typical of such emergencies, Colonel Paitoon immediately informed his superiors about the alarming development. A convoy of municipal and volunteer firefighters joined him, roaring into life with an arsenal of fire trucks and water trucks, ready to combat the blazing adversary that threatened to engulf the cherished establishment.

As they arrived at the scene, Saraburi Mayor Doctor Panupong Tipayasawat was already in action, uniting forces with additional municipal fire trucks. The situation was precarious: the hotel, a charming but vulnerable two-storey straddling the past and present with its blend of concrete and timber, was in flames. Composed of 11 individual units, the building sat partially naked – its wooden features ensuring that the fire, having brazenly begun its assault near the ground floor bathroom of room eight, accelerated its destructive path with alarming speed.

Flanked by the concerned eyes of local market residents, the firefighters launched an ambitious defense strategy. Over ten fire trucks, including agile high-lift ladder trucks, peppered the scene. They showered the upper floor with torrents of water from advantageous heights, attempting to stifle the blaze that eagerly devoured the guest rooms, all while a canopy of suffocating smoke loomed overhead.

Reinforcements arrived through the post office compound adjacent to the hotel, adding strategic vantage points to tackle the flames from multiple angles. After over an hour of battling, a sense of precarious calm began to surface as the fire hissed into a subdued state. It was a collaborative triumph, with Saraburi’s Deputy Governor Lerchai Sagonsoawapak and Mueang Saraburi District Chief Attakarn Jittawil standing shoulder to shoulder with the firefighting elite, ensuring no stone was left unturned.

Doctor Tipayasawat, an embodiment of solace in such trying times, confirmed the fire’s containment. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to each agency for their unwavering support. Yet as he reflected on the incident, the fragility of time became apparent—as a structure built four to five decades ago, its wooden upper floor had been starkly vulnerable.

Witnesses played the crucial role of unintended historians. They recounted their harrowing interactions with nature’s reckless performance. The fire’s rumblings, rooted near room seven’s ground floor bathroom, foreshadowed its ascent. In the chaos, just one individual, a woman, sustained minor injuries wrought by shock’s icy grip. Ever diligent, officials began clearing the stubborn smoke residues, with a promise of thorough site investigations.

Among the survivors’ narratives, the account of Tong stood out. Operating a nearby photocopy shop, Tong was miles away at a friend’s dwelling when he learned of the catastrophe. His ashen-hued memories detailed witnessing the advancing flames as they leapt from the hotel’s second storey, prompting him to undertake an urgent rescue mission for his shop’s belongings. His voice joined an echoed chorus of neighbors, none able to demystify the fire’s origin.

The hotel’s story—a narrative once inked in the colors of hospitality—has taken a darker turn. The memories it hoarded remain in uncertain suspension, just as the cause of the fire remains wrapped in shadows. Yet within this act of destruction lies an invitation to rebuild, to recapture past glories—or kindle new ones—ensuring Saraburi continues to stand resilient against the brushstrokes of fate.