Preparing new homes for "17 cats" that survived a house fire in "Soi Taksin 11" after the owners died and 73 cats were lost.
At 06:00 on 18 Jul 2026, Samre Police Station received a report of a house fire in Soi Somdet Phra Chao Taksin 11 on Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Road, Samre subdistrict, Thonburi district, Bangkok. Officers promptly responded along with firefighters from Talat Phlu Fire Station and Poh Teck Tung Foundation volunteers.
The site was a three-story house; on the first floor, flames were visible and spreading to the second floor. Firefighters sprayed water for about 15 minutes until the fire was extinguished. Upon inspection of the second floor, two deceased were found: a 62-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman, along with many dead cats. Some cats had survived and were rescued. The Forensic Science Division and Siriraj Hospital medical examiners conducted autopsies and collected evidence. Preliminary findings suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.
At 11:00, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, accompanied by executives from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Thonburi District Office, and related officials, visited the fire scene where two people had died.
Governor Chadchart stated that the tragic fire involved two adjacent houses in Soi Taksin 11. An elderly man and woman living on the second floor died, likely due to smoke inhalation. Residents of the neighboring house were all safely evacuated. Firefighters and rescue personnel arrived within six minutes, but the fire had already spread extensively.
Governor Chadchart added that the deceased couple were compassionate animal lovers who cared for about 100 cats. After the fire was controlled, 73 cats were found dead. However, 19 cats survived; two are receiving treatment at a veterinary hospital, and 17 have been transferred to the Thonburi District Office. At noon on 18 Jul 2026, these 17 cats will be sent to the Bangkok Dog Control Center (Prawet) or the Prawet dog and cat shelter, awaiting adoption by kind individuals.
"Although firefighters arrived quickly, sometimes they cannot save lives due to factors like smoke and the rapid spread of fire. Our condolences go to the deceased and their families. This is a tragic event we wish to prevent in the future. We urge the public to be cautious to avoid causes of fire," Governor Chadchart said.
Those interested in adopting the cats at the Bangkok Dog Control Center (Prawet) or the Prawet dog and cat shelter can inquire Monday to Friday, 08:00–15:00, at 02-328-7460 or via Facebook: bkk adopter.
Information courtesy of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Facebook page.