Khon Kaen shop blaze is still a mystery
Officials have yet to establish the cause of a huge fire that caused at least Bt30 million in damage as it ripped through the Sentosa Department Store in Khon Kaen on Friday night.
The fire broke out on the second floor of the three-storey building after the Muang district's mall closed at 9pm. More than 20 fire engines spent six hours tackling the blaze and traffic was brought to a standstill the following morning as onlookers gathered to view the damage.After inspecting the site, Police Lt-General Supawut Sung-ong said he believed the incident had nothing to do with the so-called undercurrent of political discontent, adding that a forensic investigation would take a week to complete. Sentosa manager Kulsunee Anantathanakul said the fire was probably not caused by a short circuit because before the mall was closed everything was checked and the power turned off on all floors. She said the mall had been rewired recently after another fire eight months ago that was caused when a can of spray paint overheated and exploded. She said the third floor office contained important papers, debtors' data and a safe filled with Bt2 million worth of valuables. The mall's 150 employees would not be sent to another branch near Khon Kaen University, she said, adding that she knew of no conflicts involving the store. Kulsunee estimated the damage at more than Bt30 million and said the mall had insurance of Bt80 million with Muang Thai Life Assurance. The building belongs to the Finance Ministry and is leased to the Khon Khan Municipality and Sentosa. A Treasury official said the department's engineers and Dhipaya Insurance would decide whether to demolish the building. Resident Duangjai Saetang, 62, complained that the mall's owner put insufficient safety measures in place despite last year's fire.
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