New Year’s Eve fire damages Chinese shrine, shophouses in Bangkok

Police said the fire broke out at the shrine on Soi Chan 43 Branch 9 at 2:30am.

About 10 fire engines took about 40 minutes to put out the blaze after it raged though the shrine and shophouses.
The caretaker of the shrine told police that the shrine had just closed at 1:30am after Chinese New Year revellers came to pray.

The caretaker said he had ensured that all joss sticks were put out before the shrine was closed.
Police will investigate whether the fire was caused by a short circuit or by oil lamps that were left burning inside the shrine.