Pattaya, Thailand– A 26-year-old woman and her boyfriend narrowly escaped a raging fire that broke out in their seventh-floor condominium unit this past weekend, triggering a frantic evacuation of Thai and foreign residents amid thick plumes of smoke.
The blaze erupted at a condo located in Soi Korpai 4. Emergency services received the alert at 6:06 p.m. via the Pattaya City Land Disaster Relief Radio Center. Firefighters, rescue teams, and police rushed to the scene. The full name of the condo has been withheld pending full investigation by authorities.
Upon arrival, authorities encountered a chaotic scene as personnel urgently evacuated occupants from the building. Dense smoke billowed from the seventh floor, where flames were intensely consuming Room 707. Fire crews mobilized water hoses to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further. It took over 30 minutes to bring the fire under control, leaving lingering smoke throughout the structure. Ventilation equipment was deployed to clear the haze from the building.
No injuries were reported from the flames themselves, but more than 60 individuals suffered from mild smoke inhalation and received medical attention.
The resident of the affected unit, Ms. Phonsiri Siriya, 26, described to The Pattaya News the terrifying ordeal. She explained that the fire originated in her own room while she and her boyfriend were inside. As she was doing laundry, a burning odor filled the air. Investigating, she discovered flames sparking from an electrical outlet, quickly spreading to the mattress and engulfing the entire room.
“My boyfriend and I had to run for our lives,” Ms. Phonsiri said. “We didn’t have time to grab any valuables—not even a single item.” The couple alerted condominium staff, who promptly notified firefighters.
Authorities are investigating the cause, with initial indications pointing to an electrical fault. The total estimate of damages, which included a room above the main room where the fire broke out, was still being determined by relevant officials.
