Five buildings around Bangkok caught fire yesterday due to burning joss sticks lit to celebrate Chinese New Year, police said.
The first fire occurred yesterday morning at a light bulb factory in Bang Khae district. Flames spread from the first floor to the fourth within an hour. The damage was estimated THB10 million.
Factory owner Sinchai Likitchareonnukul, 51, admitted to police that the incense he lit to pay respect to the Chinese gods might have caught on the silver and gold paper stacked for the ceremony, as the burning sticks were lit then neglected.
At the same time, a home on Soi Sukhumvit 75 burned followed by three other buildings in Thonburi, Phra Nakhon, and Huai Khwang districts. Police assume all the buildings were set alight by burning joss sticks.
Police advised citizens to be more careful and not to leave anything burning or smoldering after their ceremonies are concluded, Thairath and Kapook reported.
Photo: iHasCupquake
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