PATHUM THANI, Thailand – A tragic gas explosion ripped through a two-story townhouse in Mueang Pathum Thani district on Friday morning, killing the 64-year-old homeowner and injuring seven others.
Police and rescue officials rushed to the scene in Panason Village (opposite the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization) in Ban Chang subdistrict after receiving reports of a major explosion around 7:20 a.m.
The explosion occurred at house number 96/129 on Pathum Thani–Lat Lum Kaeo Road. Flames engulfed the rear of the building, spreading quickly to neighboring townhouses numbered 69/128 and 69/130. Fire crews battled the blaze for nearly 40 minutes before bringing it under control. Power was cut off to the area to prevent further danger.
Authorities confirmed that the explosion, believed to have been caused by a cooking gas leak in the kitchen, left extensive damage. Walls and roofs collapsed, vehicles were scorched, and several nearby homes sustained structural damage. A pickup truck, a sedan, and up to eight motorbikes were destroyed.
Rescuers found the body of Ms. Phetkamon Bumrung, 64, the homeowner, in the kitchen area. Seven others suffered burns and blast injuries — five were taken to Pathum Thani Hospital, while two others, still in shock, refused to leave the scene.
Neighbor Mr. Somkhuan Chatwong, 52, who lives next door, said he heard a loud explosion followed by his ceiling collapsing. “The sound was so powerful that it shook the whole house,” he recalled. The victim’s home also doubled as a beauty salon and was occupied by three residents at the time.
Police investigators, forensic officers, and disaster prevention officials inspected the site and collected evidence to determine the precise cause of the explosion. The victim’s body was sent to the Institute of Forensic Science under the Ministry of Justice for autopsy.
