Phuket restaurant, spa engulfed in fire, three-storey building gutted

PHUKET - A fire destroyed a three-storey building housing a resort restaurant and a massage and onsen spa in Karon district on Monday morning. The fire began about 6.40am. No injuries were reported. The building's first and second floors housed the KIRI Restaurant, which served breakfast for guests of the Sugar Marina Hotel in Kata. The third floor was occupied by Pinewood Massage Onsen Spa. The restaurant was operating as usual when a light bulb near an elevator reportedly exploded and started the fire, according to Pol Lt Col Narutpon Kaewlae, chief investigator at Karon police station. Restaurant staff tried to extinguish the flames, using several fire extinguishers, but despite their efforts the blaze spread rapidly through the building. The fire intensified because the second and third floors contained large amounts of combustible materials, including cloths and cushions used in the spa. Firefighters took about 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control. The building sustained considerable damage. Losses had yet to be fully assessed, police said. No injuries were reported. The investigation into the cause was continuing. Thick smoke billows into the sky on Monday morning from the scene of the fire in Phuket. The building suffered considerable damage.