Thailand: a child's firecrackers cause 1 million baht worth of damage on a bridge

A fire caused by firecrackers lit by a child damaged a pillar of the Bhumibol 2 Bridge in Samut Prakan, Thailand.

Following the incident, the Thai Ministry of Transport is claiming around 1 million baht in damages from the child's parents.

A fire under Bhumibol Bridge 2 in Samut Prakan

Flames rise on a pipe attached to a foundation pillar of Bhumibol Bridge in Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan on January 15.

The fire broke out on a pillar of Bhumibol Bridge 2 in Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan, on the outskirts of Bangkok, on the evening of January 15.

The flames spread to an exhaust pipe, then reached part of the bridge beam, located about 50 meters above the ground.

A high-rise firefighting operation

Firefighters under Bhumibol 2 Bridge in Samut Prakan.

Officials from the Rural Roads Department, which is under the Ministry of Transport, coordinated their efforts with the firefighting teams to respond to the scene.

Fire trucks equipped with aerial platforms were deployed and the fire was brought under control after about an hour.

Viral rumors and exaggeration of damage

Fire trace under Bhumibol Bridge 2 in Samut Prakan.

Following this incident, rumors have circulated widely on social media regarding both the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage.

Online publications claimed that a 10- to 12-year-old child had lit firecrackers or fireworks under the bridge, causing serious structural damage.

Some reports also claimed that the child had been taken into custody and that his parents would be required to pay up to 15 million baht in compensation.

The Rural Roads Department later denied these claims.

In an interview with Channel 7, officials stated that the damage was estimated to be around 1 million baht and that the bridge structure had only suffered minor damage.

The department confirmed that the fire was indeed caused by fireworks lit by a child, as shown in the images and videos shared online.

1 million baht claimed and legal consequences

Origin of the fire under Bhumibol Bridge 2 in Samut Prakan.

An official complaint has already been filed against the child and their parents.

Officials stated that if the family was unable to pay the compensation, the case would be forwarded to the court for legal proceedings.

Officers from the Samrong Tai police station told the media that no criminal charges had yet been brought against the child due to their minor status.

The police have only recorded the incident and have not disclosed any further legal action at this stage.

See also:

Thailand: Fireworks cause terrible fire in Chonburi

Thailand: a foreign tourist sows chaos with fireworks in Pattaya

The explosion of a fireworks factory in Thailand kills 23 people

Source: The Thaiger, Bangkok Post