Bangkok: Authorities are urgently investigating the cause of a fire that broke out in the Rong Kluea Market, located in Sa Kaeo Province. The fire, which occurred late last night, destroyed 20 rooms in Building B5. Police have confirmed that the incident is not related to the recent Thai-Cambodian border clashes.

According to Thai News Agency, the Khlong Luek Police Station’s radio communication center received a report about the fire at approximately 1:20 AM. In response, more than 10 fire trucks from nearby agencies were dispatched to control the blaze. The Sa Kaeo Provincial Administrative Organization’s fire prevention department also provided lighting equipment, rapid response fire trucks, and water tankers to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings. The fire was successfully extinguished by around 3:00 AM.

Upon inspecting the scene, authorities found that the affected area comprises a row of rental rooms owned by the Sa Kaeo Provincial Administrative Organization. These rooms are primarily used by tenants, mostly Cambodian nationals, to sell goods such as clothing and bedding. The fire resulted in damage to approximately 20 rental rooms, but fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities reported. The full extent of the damage has yet to be assessed.

Witnesses reported that the fire began in an electrical appliance shop and spread quickly. It is suspected that an electrical short circuit may have been the cause, particularly as the area was uninhabited due to evacuations following the onset of border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. Officials have reiterated that the fire is not connected to the ongoing border fighting. Today, police from Khlong Luek Police Station, along with forensic officers from Sa Kaeo Province and officials from the Department of Commerce, are set to conduct a detailed investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire.