PATTAYA, Thailand – A gas canister used for cooking exploded on the balcony of a seaside condominium in central Pattaya on Sunday afternoon, sparking a fierce fire that heavily damaged a fourth-floor unit and left its American owner with serious burns. Luckily, firefighters stopped it from spreading to the rest of the condo.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:16 p.m. on July 5th, 2026, at the Casa Espana Condominium in Soi Ketsin 7. Emergency responders from Pattaya’s disaster prevention and rescue units were dispatched after receiving reports of the blaze.
Upon arrival, firefighters found panicked residents and tourists rushing out of the building. Flames and thick smoke were billowing from the balcony of Room 36 on the fourth floor. Officials quickly evacuated occupants while directing water hoses at the fire. It took more than 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control. The interior of the affected room suffered extensive fire damage.
Mr. Richard, a 72-year-old American national and owner of the unit, was injured by burns to his back and torso. Rescue workers provided initial first aid at the scene before rushing him to a local hospital for urgent treatment.
In an interview from his hospital bed, Mr. Richard told The Pattaya News that he smelled smoke coming from the balcony and went to investigate. As he opened the door, the burning gas canister suddenly flared up violently, engulfing him in flames. He managed to escape the room amid the chaos. “I was lucky that people quickly alerted the authorities,” he said.
Preliminary police investigations suggest the fire originated from a portable gas canister used for cooking. The exact cause of the explosion and rapid spread remains under investigation. Officers plan to revisit the scene and are awaiting a full statement from the injured man, along with assistance from forensic experts.
No other injuries were reported, and the fire did not spread to neighboring units. Authorities are reminding residents to regularly inspect gas equipment and ensure proper ventilation when using portable stoves.
