Bangkok Fire

I heard a lot of fire engines blaring for some time before I realised that they were coming down our street as well as along Sukhumvit.  I looked out the window by the dining area, only to see that La Raffine, Chris Latimer's old apartment block, had a fire in one of the apartments.  I grabbed my camera and started snapping from the window and balcony.

People were out on the rooftops watching.

But this man in the building site opposite, clearly saw it as time to get on the roof and catch a few 'zzzzzzs'!

Alan could see the smoke from his office windows.

 I could just about see the flames.

 Each of these apartments are duplexes, with a wading pool on each balcony.  I wondered whether the residents had used some of that water initially, or whether it took hold too quickly.  I think Chris' apartment was the second balcony up from the fire, on the same side.

A film crews flew over from Channel 5 station, which is behind where we live.

There was also an observation helicopter at one point.

I wasn't the only person observing from their balcony, and people were on their roofs in the sun, for quite a while.

 The ladder pump turned up over an hour after I had started observing the fire.

 As the late afternoon rains started to head our way, the sky darkened, and mixed with the smoke, it looked quite striking.

 Every time it looked as though the fire had died down, it started back up again.

Television said that it had been contained to one apartment and that nobody had been killed.

Eventually the heavy rain appeared but by that time, I think the fire was out.

Now, in the evening gloom, none of the lights are on except what looks to be an observation light shining from the balcony to the left, onto the wrecked apartment.

Some poor person has just lost their home this afternoon.  I would imagine that nobody will be sleeping in the block tonight.  Luckily, there are hotels almost next door.

Chris, I offered up a big thank you, that you no longer live in that block.  Even if your goods were safe, I would imagine that smoke damage would make your sofa's etc, pretty much unusable.  

One thought did cross my mind, I hope Mark didn't leave any active ordinance in the apartment!!!