Police are investigating a blaze that ripped through a mansion north of downtown yesterday while its owner was away that killed two of his dogs.
It took firefighters and five water trucks 45 minutes late Thursday afternoon to put out the flames which had engulfed the luxurious, two-story home in Chaiyapruk Village on Sukhapiban 5 Road in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district.
Explosions were heard at about 5pm from inside the house owned by 63-year-old businessman Kiattisak Watanyuwanich, owner of construction company S.K.S. Group. Though Kiattisak was not home at the time, his two dogs were unable to escape and died in the fire.
Footage of flames leaping from the mansion’s large windows proved popular online.
Police this morning are still questioning witnesses, according to Capt. Thanasak Pongsiand of Bang Khen police. They include two housemaids and a painter hired to do work in the living room yesterday. The painter told police that he smelled something burning while working, and when he opened a door to investigate, panicked at the sight of a desk already burning near some curtains. The flames quickly spread, forcing everyone to flee for their lives.
Police suspect that the root cause of the fire was a short circuit. Damages were estimated to be up to THB50 million (US$1.6 million).
