SONGKHLA, Thailand – A major fire broke out at a seven-storey commercial building in Hat Yai during the Songkran holiday, sending thick black smoke into the sky and prompting a large emergency response April 13.
The incident occurred at a paint distribution business located on Phonphichai Road, near Yanyong Market, where the building housed large quantities of paint products, including both household and automotive paint. Nearly 10 fire engines were deployed to control the blaze, while police secured the area and managed traffic to assist firefighting operations.
Flames reportedly started on the lower floors and quickly intensified, bursting through the front of the building before spreading upward. The presence of numerous paint containers on the first three floors acted as fuel, causing the fire to grow more aggressive. Loud popping sounds were heard throughout the incident as the fire raged.
Fortunately, no one was inside the building at the time. According to the shop owner’s mother, the family had traveled to China for the holiday, and she herself was not staying overnight at the shop as usual.
Firefighters took about an hour to bring the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading to adjacent buildings. However, crews continued to douse the structure due to lingering heat and smoke. The extent of the damage has yet to be fully assessed, though the lower floors—particularly the first and second—appear to have suffered severe destruction, with goods inside largely lost.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the fire, but initial reports suggest a possible electrical short circuit. Police from Hat Yai Station will coordinate with forensic officers to conduct a detailed investigation once the site is safe to access.
