FIRE AT ASOKE

Yet another fire to report, this time on Asoke, along the main road leading up to Petchaburi and next door to the Grand Millenium.

I initially saw the fire from the walkway at Asoke junction.  Having attended the Tea's Tacky Tutorial school of photography, I knew I wouldn't be living up to my tutor's faith in me, if I didn't get as near as I could.

I skirted the main road, which had been closed off to traffic, thinking that I wouldn't be able to get near the fire.

I soon realised that there was absolutely no crowd control, so I just walked along and stood next to the fire pumps, opposite the fire.  I just couldn't believe that they would let me get that near.  Well me and hundreds of other people!

Gusts of office documents showered down into the lot next to the fire.

There were several of these pumps with ladders there, although it took one quite a while to raise the arm because it was hemmed in by all the electrical cables hanging from the tops of posts.

 This photo shows how the outer structure of the building was warping.  Yes, ever the daring reporter, I did not let the thought of building collapse enter my head.  Be proud of me Tutor Tea!

The fire started on the 7th floor and worked upwards.  I have no idea what started it.

It was fascinating to watch the fire being chased along the floor by the ladder hose.

Suddenly the fire burst through the windows on the side facing onto the street.

I kept thinking how fascinating it all looked, watching the flames roll around the edges of the room.

The ladder pump moved around to that side.

A firemen at the bottom of the ladder.

This is the house in the lot next to the building on fire.  It was dwarfed by its neighbour.  You can see office papers on the roof.  Glass was also showering down, and if I were him, I would have moved from that spot, until it was safe.

People lined the street watching, talking on phones and of course taking photos.  There were plenty of press too.

I think he must have been off duty and just arrived and pulled a helmet on.  Either that of he is a lost member of Village People!  Altogether now, Y.M.C.A!

The command centre opposite the fire.

This guy looks a bit like a Tele Tubby in that hat!

Ready to go in the building.

I'm not sure why he had the only silver suit.

Taking a break.

The firemen worked hard at cooling down the structure, presumably to make it more stable.  They did this whilst the fire was still going above them.

This just goes to show that even off duty fire crew have bad dress days, or should that be bad ass days!

This guy looked so exhausted.  It was a very hot day today, so I can imagine they were really hot in their protective gear.

Another fireman arrives to take a rest.

He was just getting suited up when I passed him.

Finally, how can you tell this fire is in Asia?  Because no matter how exhausted they are, the firemen still pose for one of their own to take a photo.  I swear there were more cameras amongst the fire crew, taking photos of each other, then there were press cameras.

Well there you go.  That was a bit of excitement before I head off to Singapore tomorrow.