Pattaya, May 7 — A routine evening turned to terror for residents of the upscale Ocean View Condominium when an explosive fire ripped through the 19th floor, sending panicked tourists and expats scrambling for safety through smoke-choked stairwells.

Fire Breaks Out at Pattaya Condo, No Injuries Reported

The first 911 calls flooded emergency lines at 8:06 PM as flames burst through the windows of unit 1911, their orange glow visible across Pattaya’s skyline. “It sounded like fireworks popping, then the hallway filled with this thick, black smoke that burned your eyes,” recounted British resident Marcus Fielding, who fled barefoot with just his passport and phone.

Pattaya’s fire brigade arrived to find a nightmare scenario unfolding electrical explosions from the blazing AC unit spraying sparks, terrified residents choking on smoke in the stairwells and a Russian tourist attempting to rappel down balcony railings.

Fire Chief Somchai Kowit revealed the team used specialized thermal imaging gear to navigate the pitch-black corridors, where temperatures exceeded 150°F. “The fire had already eaten through the bedroom and was licking at the ceiling beams when we breached the door,” he said.

The condo’s sprinkler system bought critical time, containing the blaze to the single unit while firefighters battled the stubborn electrical fire for 53 minutes. Preliminary investigations point to faulty wiring in a decade-old air conditioner that had been running continuously for 72 hours.

The unidentified foreign tenant—now facing possible negligence charges—reportedly broke down upon seeing the charred remains of his unit. “I just went to get street food,” the distraught man told police through an interpreter.

“This should serve as a wake-up call,” warned Pattaya’s deputy mayor as crews worked through the night to restore power. “We got lucky this time.”

Fire Breaks Out at Pattaya Condo, Injuring Two Foreigners and One Rescue Worker

Pattaya authorities urge all residents to test smoke detectors monthly and never leave appliances unattended.

-Thailand News (TN)