An elderly man in north Phuket has had a lucky escape after his home was destroyed by fire.
The Phuket Express reports that the property, in the sub-district of Srisoontorn, in Thalang, went up in flames on Tuesday night, April 9.
Rescue workers were alerted at around 9.30pm and arrived at the home in the Manik area, to find the house fully engulfed in flames. It took firefighters 40 minutes to extinguish the blaze.
The only resident, 71 year old Moonma Sauyson, had managed to flee the flames. He describes having smelt something burning and hearing a sound like firecrackers going off. He then saw smoke and flames at the front of the property, which he tried to extinguish himself while waiting for firefighters to arrive.
Forensic officers are now investigating the cause of the fire but say they believe an electrical short circuit may be behind it. An assessment is also being carried out to determine the total damages caused by the blaze.
According to the report, Mr Sauyson is being assisted by members of the community.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
