Pattaya cannabis farm goes up in flames as residents flee with pets and thick smoke leaves rescuers dizzy. Bolivian man, 42, is named as the owner while police probe an electrical fault after sparks and a loud bang inside the two-storey house.
A fierce fire gutted a two-storey cannabis farm in Pattaya on Friday, sending residents fleeing with pets through pungent smoke. Firefighters battled the blaze in heavy rain for 30 minutes as burning cannabis fumes swept through nearby homes. Rescue workers, police and residents later reported dizziness, headaches and hazy eyes. The farm’s employee described sparks and a loud bang before flames raced through the building. Meanwhile, she identified its owner as a 42-year-old Bolivian man. Police suspect an electrical short circuit, although forensic investigators have yet to confirm the cause or assess the losses.
A fire ripped through a two-storey cannabis farm in Pattaya on Friday morning, sending residents fleeing through thick, pungent smoke. Some neighbours scrambled from their homes carrying pets as the fumes spread across the residential community. Meanwhile, firefighters battled flames during heavy rain before bringing the blaze under control about 30 minutes later.
The fire struck on September 25 inside Thepprasit Village, Soi Thepprasit 1, Moo 12, Nong Prue subdistrict. The neighbourhood lies in Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province. One report identified the property as house number 407/100. The two-storey home had been converted into an indoor cannabis cultivation facility.
Reports placed the emergency call between 7.36 am and 7.50 am. One rescue report initially warned that somebody could be trapped inside the burning house. In response, volunteer rescue workers raced to the scene and coordinated with Pattaya’s fire service. Police officers were also dispatched.
Fire crews battle thick cannabis smoke as residents flee homes and carry pets through heavy rain
On arrival, emergency crews faced a building already pumping heavy smoke across the neighbourhood. Residents nearest the property rushed outside towards safer areas. Notably, some struggled to carry their pets with them as smoke engulfed the immediate surroundings. Despite the rain, other villagers gathered nearby and watched firefighters move against the blaze.
Two Pattaya City fire engines were deployed. Crews directed water into the house as flames burned through its lower floor. Cannabis plants were being cultivated downstairs and upstairs. Consequently, the burning crop generated large volumes of smoke that spread far beyond the property.
At the same time, a powerful smell permeated the area. Firefighters continued attacking the blaze for approximately 30 minutes before finally controlling it. Once inside, crews found severe damage throughout the converted growing facility. Heat and flames had devastated the cannabis crop and equipment across both floors.
Despite the scale of the fire, nobody was found dead or injured by the flames. The initial report of somebody trapped inside did not result in a reported casualty. However, the burning cannabis soon produced a different problem for people gathered around the scene.
Burning cannabis leaves firefighters and residents dizzy as investigators focus on electrical equipment
Smoke from the crop engulfed firefighters, rescue workers and police officers during the operation. Nearby residents and people helping at the scene were also exposed. Soon afterwards, some began experiencing dizziness and headaches after inhaling the fumes. Others reportedly developed hazy or glassy eyes.
Daily News described some exposed responders and residents as smiling broadly as the smoke lingered around them. Conversely, others developed headaches and moved quickly away from the property. Those affected put distance between themselves and the smoke to avoid further exposure. No serious injuries from the fumes were reported.
As firefighters finished their work, attention shifted towards the moments immediately before the blaze. Ms Nok, 47, worked at the property caring for the cannabis crop. Her account pointed investigators towards electrical equipment on the lower floor.
One report said Ms Nok saw sparks coming from an electrical control box shortly before the fire. Another said she heard an electrical short while entering the house. Then came a loud bang resembling an explosion. Within moments, flames spread rapidly through the cultivation facility.
Ms Nok subsequently contacted emergency services as the situation deteriorated. By then, the fire was spreading through the lower floor and producing increasingly heavy smoke. Cannabis plants and growing equipment on both levels were eventually damaged or destroyed.
Bolivian man named as cannabis farm owner as neighbour describes loud bang and fears fire spreading
During questioning, Ms Nok also identified the reported owner of the operation. She named him as Mr Moxito, 42, a Bolivian national. Separately, a neighbour confirmed that a foreign national operated the cannabis facility.
The neighbour, identified as Ms Ouan, 60, lived close to the burning property. She told reporters that cannabis had been cultivated inside the house for more than a year. During Friday’s emergency, she heard a bang before seeing smoke pour from the building.
Immediately, Ms Ouan feared the fire could spread to her own home. She therefore called for emergency assistance. Her account placed neighbouring properties close enough for residents to fear the flames could reach them.
The blaze was unfolding inside a residential community rather than a remote cultivation site. Moreover, the indoor farm occupied an ordinary two-storey house surrounded by other homes. That setting brought the smoke directly into neighbouring streets as firefighters tackled the flames.
Once the fire was contained, Pattaya City Police officers began examining the property. They photographed the damaged building and recorded evidence for the investigation. Officers also questioned people connected with the cannabis farm. The electrical system quickly became the focus.
Police suspect electrical short circuit as forensic officers prepare to examine fire damage and losses
Based on statements gathered at the scene, police initially suspect an electrical short circuit. Investigators believe the fault may have started around the electrical control equipment. The resulting fire then spread through the cannabis plants and cultivation operation.
Nevertheless, police had not formally established the cause by Friday. Forensic officers were expected to inspect the damaged property before investigators reached a final conclusion. Their examination will determine the precise origin of the fire and assess the electrical equipment.
The value of the destruction was also unknown. No official figure had been produced for the damaged crop, cultivation equipment or building. Investigators therefore left the financial assessment open while forensic work continued.
Significantly, the available reports provided little information about the business behind the farm. Ms Nok identified Mr Moxito as its owner and gave his Bolivian nationality. However, reports did not establish whether he owned the house itself.
Nor did they identify a registered company operating the cultivation facility. Likewise, the reports provided no details concerning cultivation licences or other regulatory approvals. There was also no reported finding that the cannabis operation had breached regulations.
Police focus on fire cause as cannabis smoke spreads beyond gutted Pattaya farm into nearby homes
Instead, Friday’s police work remained centred on the cause of the blaze. Officers had the employee’s account of electrical trouble immediately before flames appeared. They also had the neighbour’s separate account of hearing a bang before smoke poured outside.
The fire left the two-storey cultivation operation extensively damaged after only about half an hour. Yet its impact spread beyond the burned building. Heavy cannabis smoke forced residents from nearby homes and affected people working at the scene.
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By the end of the emergency, firefighters had prevented any reported loss of life. Residents who initially fled were able to remain clear of the burning property. However, the pungent smoke continued hanging over the area after the flames were suppressed.
Forensic investigators must now establish whether the suspected electrical fault caused the fire. Separately, the final cost of the destroyed cannabis crop, equipment and property remains to be calculated.
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