Bangkok: The fire at Ban Phaeo Hospital has been completely extinguished. Minister Jeseth immediately rushed to the scene, ordering the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Public Works Department to inspect the structure urgently before reopening. He praised the swift evacuation plan.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jetseth Thaiseth, Deputy Minister of Interior, rushed to Ban Phaeo Hospital in Samut Sakhon Province to monitor the situation following a fire inside the Chalerm Phra Kiat Building after it broke out at approximately 6:00 PM today. The fire originated in the physiotherapy department on the first floor of the building. The fire has now been completely brought under control, and there were no fatalities; only minor injuries from smoke inhalation were reported. Currently, efforts are underway to ventilate the remaining smoke from the building and conduct a thorough safety assessment of the area.
Mr. Jetseth stated that preventing losses was the most important aspect of the incident. He commended the firefighters, volunteer rescue workers, and local defense volunteers for their rapid response to the incident, as well as the hospital personnel for their preparedness in evacuating those affected and moving them out of the area promptly, resulting in no injuries or fatalities.
Regarding the next steps, Mr. Jetseth revealed that tomorrow, the Department of Public Works and Town Planning will inspect the building's structure to assess its stability and safety before considering allowing occupancy. Simultaneously, they have coordinated with the Pollution Control Department to monitor air quality and pollution levels from residual smoke within the hospital to ensure the area is safe for patients, staff, and the public. As for the investigation into the cause of the fire, forensic officers will enter the site tomorrow to collect evidence and thoroughly investigate the cause before concluding the investigation.
After the fire was brought under control, the primary mission was to ensure the area's safety in all aspects, including building structure, air quality, and prevention of recurrence. Relevant agencies were instructed to closely monitor the situation and provide full support to the hospital until it returns to normal.
'As the supervisor of both the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Department of Public Works and Town Planning, I have instructed both agencies to urgently support the hospital. Safety must be considered in all dimensions, including prevention and response, building structure safety, and the indoor environment. After this, we must ensure that the building is safe, the air is safe, and the public is safe before returning to normal,' said the Deputy Minister of Interior.