A forest fire behind a school near a gas station and shopping mall in Saraburi Province spread several kilometers. Authorities mobilized over 10 fire trucks to contain the blaze for more than 4 hours. The tags are [forest fire, Saraburi, emergency response, fire trucks, public safety].
On 9 March 2026 GMT+7, a wide grass fire broke out behind Saraburi Witthayakhom School, near a gas station and shopping mall along Phahonyothin Road in Saraburi Province. The fire spread in a line several kilometers long, causing alarm among local residents and road users. The tags are [grass fire, Saraburi Witthayakhom School, Phahonyothin Road, public concern, fire spread].
After receiving the report, Saraburi Municipality firefighters coordinated with police from Saraburi City Police Station, deploying about 5–6 fire trucks to control the situation. They also called for additional fire trucks from nearby local administrative organizations. Meanwhile, the 18th Military Circle sent 2 fire trucks and a forest firefighting military unit to support efforts, as strong gusty winds caused the fire to spread rapidly through the dry grass. The tags are [fire response coordination, Saraburi Municipality, local police, military support, wind conditions].
Upon arrival, officials found employees from the shopping mall and gas station helping to extinguish the fire using water tanks and available equipment to prevent the flames from reaching buildings. Firefighters then spread out to encircle the area and sprayed water to stop the fire from spreading to homes, the school, gas station, and shopping mall. The tags are [community response, fire containment, property protection, firefighters, emergency teamwork].
During the incident, large flames and thick smoke rose into the sky, covering Phahonyothin Road and nearby alleys with dense smoke. Drivers had to slow down for safety. The tags are [smoke, traffic impact, visibility, road safety, fire effects].
Later, the fire spread to Soi 5 near Saraburi Hospital. Officials urgently deployed fire trucks to douse the flames before it could spread to grassland on the opposite side. They successfully controlled the situation after more than 3-4 hours. Initially, no injuries or damage to residents' property were reported. The tags are [fire spread, Saraburi Hospital, fire suppression, emergency control, no casualties].
Mr. Thongkham Prempree, 61, a resident living behind Saraburi Witthayakhom School, said that in the afternoon he heard people talking near the entrance of the alley, then saw flames spread quickly. He and his wife rushed to check and saw the fire spreading fast. Concerned it might reach their home, they ran back to turn on the water pump to help suppress the fire before alerting firefighters. “Luckily, the authorities arrived in time to extinguish it; otherwise, the fire might have burned my house,” he said. He added that this grassland behind the school had experienced frequent fires in the past but had not burned for almost two years before this year's incident. The tags are [eyewitness account, local resident, fire prevention, community impact, repeated fires].
Meanwhile, police are investigating the cause of the fire to determine whether it was a natural forest fire or if someone deliberately set the grass on fire. A thorough investigation is ongoing. The tags are [investigation, fire cause, arson suspicion, natural fire, law enforcement].