Big fire in Thailand, 13 Vietnamese families left empty-handed

Thirteen Vietnamese families in Thailand lost all their property in a fire that broke out on the morning of March 23 in Kumpawapi town (Udon Thani province, northeastern Thailand).

The Vietnamese shop area in Kumpawapi was completely burned down - Photo: Lam Yen

The burned area was a row of Vietnamese shops, including 5 clothing stores, 2 electronics stores, 2 photo shops, 1 DVD store... A total of 23 shops of 16 families (13 Vietnamese, 2 Chinese and 1 Thai) were completely burned down.

Damage of tens of billions of dong

At the scene of the fire, a whole street more than a hundred meters long was completely burned down. Electric poles were tilted, electric wires and bricks were scattered, reinforced concrete houses almost collapsed, leaving only iron pillars. Wichan Suthampang, Chief of Police of Kumpawapi District, told Thanh Nien: “The fire broke out from 1am to 4am on March 23 on Chaelae Street, Kumpawapi Town (about 35km from the center of Udon Thani Province). At that time, the fire was so big that it took the fire brigade more than 3 hours to put it out. Luckily, the wind was calm that day, otherwise the damage would have been more severe.”

Vietnamese people donate and cook free meals to serve families affected by fires - Photo: Lam Yen

The cause of the fire was determined to be a transformer explosion, causing an electrical short circuit. Mr. Tran Viet Hong, 80 years old, who lives opposite the fire area, said: “This transformer has exploded several times before due to overload. Unfortunately, this time the spark spread to the power line, causing a fire.”

According to initial estimates, the total damage was up to 100 million baht (about 64 billion VND). The family of Mrs. Tran Thi Bat, 84 years old, had 2 clothing stores burned down, nothing could be saved. As one of 5 people who slept at the scene that day, Mrs. Bat still had not recovered when recounting the incident: “After midnight, I was sleeping and suddenly heard several loud explosions. I lifted the mosquito net and saw smoke billowing up. I was so scared, I shouted for my children and grandchildren. Because the fire spread so quickly, and there was a gas shop a few houses away, we were afraid of another explosion, so we just tried to escape and did not dare to save anything.”

Having said that, she pointed at her foot, which was about to fall off its toenail, and lamented: “I am paralyzed and cannot walk. My two daughters had to carry me. I fell on the way and crushed my foot. The pain was unbearable. Normally, I sleep outside the store. Luckily, I was a bit tired that day so I slept at my daughter’s house right behind, otherwise I would have burned to death.”

Fellow countrymen in times of trouble

The information about the fire was first posted on Facebook by the Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangkok, Nguyen Tat Thanh. In just a short time, it received hundreds of shares. Ambassador Nguyen Tat Thanh told Thanh Nien: “The lucky thing about this fire is that there were no casualties. Currently, the embassy is coordinating with the Thai government to support the most satisfactory compensation for the people. Although the embassy does not organize a fundraising campaign, it is ready to help deliver the donations to the people.”

In Kumpawapi, the fire was extinguished at 4am, and just a few hours later, two makeshift tents were set up by the Vietnamese people in the area to raise funds to help the victim's family. Some contributed money, others contributed labor. Families shared the responsibility, one family cooked rice and prepared food, another made coffee and drinks. Those who did not have money came to help clean up and serve...

Quickly wiping the sweat pouring from her forehead, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Noi, 60 years old, was busy making coffee and serving fruit juice to everyone while saying: “When the store caught fire, my son, my neighbors and I ran to help carry things. Now we make drinks. Vietnam fought the French and the Americans, our people suffered from floods, and people here still sent money to help. Moreover, these are fellow countrymen and neighbors, so it is only natural for them to lend a hand.”

Upon learning of the fire, representatives of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Khon Kaen province immediately sent people to work with local authorities. The Thai-Vietnamese Business Association provided emergency aid of 26,000 baht (about 17 million VND) to the affected families. The Udon Thani Overseas Vietnamese Association also launched a lightning campaign, continuously bringing food and sending people to help.

Not only do Vietnamese people care for each other, Thai people are also enthusiastic. Mr. Pornthep, Chairman of Kumpawapi District, said: “In the immediate future, the Red Cross of Kumpawapi District and Udon Thani Province has supported each family with 13,000 baht (more than 8 million VND). Many agencies and benefactors in the district and province have also contributed a lot. From yesterday until now (March 24), we have received about 100,000 baht (about 64 million VND). We are currently working with each family to determine the exact level of damage as well as the circumstances of each family to provide more specific assistance.”

According to TNO