Fire at Abandoned Building in Chalong Quickly Contained by Firefighters

Firefighters from Chalong Municipality extinguished a blaze at an abandoned building on Soi Suki in Chalong on July 14, preventing the fire from spreading to nearby properties.

According to Chalong Municipality, the fire broke out on the second floor of the vacant building. Preliminary findings suggest the blaze may have started after a pile of rubbish inside the structure was deliberately set alight.

Two fire engines from the Chalong branch of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) responded to the incident. Crews managed to bring the fire under control in approximately 20 minutes, successfully stopping it from reaching surrounding buildings.

Authorities reported no injuries.

Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphon attended the scene to oversee the emergency response and monitor firefighting operations.

Soi Suki is known locally as the location of the popular Agli Amici pizzeria, although the fire occurred in a separate abandoned structure.

The incident comes as Phuket authorities continue tightening fire safety inspections across the island following the deadly blaze at Bangkok's Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao entertainment venue.

According to the latest figures reported by the Bangkok Post on July 14, the Bangkok fire has claimed 30 lives. Twenty-seven victims died at the scene, while three others later succumbed to their injuries in hospital. Another 75 people were injured, including 24 who remained in critical condition.

Investigators are examining several possible causes, including an electrical fault in a ceiling-mounted air-conditioning unit, the use of highly flammable construction materials and potential failures in emergency exits.

Authorities have also raised concerns that some exit doors may have been locked or obstructed during the fire.

Police had interviewed 34 witnesses as of July 14. The owner of the venue, who was also injured in the blaze, remained in intensive care. The tragedy has prompted renewed scrutiny of both venue operators and government fire safety inspections, despite the establishment having passed an official safety inspection in April.