Blaze destroys construction material firm in Chiang Mai

Thick fumes linger over the wreckage of Global House headquarters in Chiang Mai. Damage to the constructionmaterials company is estimated at more than Bt3 billion.

Two firefighters were injured in the blaze, which broke out at 9.30am at the company storehouse, located in Chiang Mai's Saraphi district.

Police said the fire was started by a worker who used a welding tool to fix an airconditioner. The tool sparked a fire to plastic wrapper on the ceiling thermal insulator.

The fire spread along the plastic sheet, and dropped to cans of thinner and paints, causing the blaze to spread quickly through the building.

The fire prompted about 250 workers of the shop and about 50 shoppers to run for their lives.

Some 20 fire engines spent over four hours but failed to control the blaze, which engulfed the entire building, causing it to partially collapse.

Somkiart Wiangchansua, the manager of the Global House Wiang Kumkam branch, said the building housed Bt3 billion worth of construction materials and the building itself would cost at least Bt300 million to replace.

He said 250 employees at the branch would not be laid off. The Chiang Mai provincial administration declared the shop as a danger zone.

Chiang Mai deputy governor Phairoj Saenphuwong said engineers would later inspect the structure of the building, and it would be demolished if it were found unstable.

He said unauthorised persons would not be allowed to enter the building before the inspection.

At the time of the fire, the owner, Withoon Suriyawanakul, was in Khon Kaen. He got a flight back to Chiang Mai as soon as he heard news of the fire.