A fire broke out at a construction material store in central Phetchaburi during the early morning. The owner's body was found burned alive, resulting in one fatality. The fire spread to neighboring buildings, causing damage exceeding 10 million baht.
On 31 Aug 2026, a fire occurred at a five-story commercial building housing the Chok Anan store inside the 18-Meter Fresh Market in Phetchaburi Municipality at 05:44 AM. Explosions were heard intermittently. The site was a warehouse storing construction materials such as paint cans, sprays, and thinner—highly flammable fuels—causing the fire to spread rapidly. Firefighters took over three hours to bring the blaze under control.
Initial examination found the body of Mr. Thawatchai Rungapinya, 55, also known as Hia Block, the store owner, burned to death on the second floor near the bathroom. All property inside the house was completely damaged. The five-story commercial building, consisting of four units, and nearby areas were damaged by fire, with preliminary losses estimated at approximately 10 million baht.
Authorities later transferred the deceased to the forensic department at Phrachomklao Hospital in Phetchaburi for an autopsy. Police have sealed off the scene, barring involved parties from entering, while coordinating with Phetchaburi’s forensic police to investigate the cause of the fire.