More than 100 adults and children are now taking temporary refuge at the local youth centre, after about 30 houses were burned down or heavily damaged in a two-hour blaze yesterday (Tuesday). 12 people were sent to hospital to be treated for the effects of smoke inhalation. Support and repair payments will be issued to those injured or have lost property, according to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.
Chadchart returned to the Bon Kai community late Tuesday night to visit the victims of yesterday’s blaze and to ensure that they are being provided with the help they need by Pathumwan district office, including a new shelter in case they are not rehoused for an extended time.
The governor said that the owners of any houses that were razed or severely damaged will receive 5,000 baht as initial compensation, whereas those who were tenants will receive 3,000.
Victims of the blaze can register to receive help with district officials, who are posted in the community to tend to their basic needs.
According to Bangkok’s Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation today, each of the 30 affected households will receive 3,000 baht each a month at most for two consecutive months.
The injured will each receive 2,000 baht, and 4,000 baht if they were admitted to hospital.
Over 200 bags of basic necessities have already been distributed to people in the community and more will arrive today.
The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.
The fire was extinguished within two hours of starting, at about 1.30pm yesterday, thanks to the rapid response by firemen at a fire station located only about 600 metres from the community, where about 10,000 people live. The narrow lanes and a lack of water hydrants in the community added to the challenges faced by the firefighters.
