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Dramatic album: Fire destroys a 10 million baht Phuket live-aboard

Fire Rips Phuket Dive Boat, Seven Hurt: Photos

Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Blaze Photo Album Above

A FUEL fire at Phuket's ferry port has destroyed a dive boat and put seven people in hospital, with one person in a serious condition.

The fire caused an estimated 10 million baht damage to the Ladawan 2, a double-storey live-aboard, moored at Phuket City's Rassada Pier.

Phuketwan was told that the boat was being readied for regular trips to the Similan islands, a popular diving spot and national marine park that reopens for visitors on November 1.

Firemen fought to bring the huge blaze under control. As Phuketwan looked on, flames burst up again from the smouldering shell of the vessel.

The boat belonged to West Coast Divers. Colonel Wanchai Eakporntip of Phuket City Police Station immediately took charge of the investigation.

Police inquiries are continuing. It is believed the fuel caught fire when maintenance staff were working on the engine.

A welder was understood to be working about 10am while another person was carrying fuel on board.

The man who was carrying the fuel is in Vachira Hospital, in a serious but stable condition, suffering burns. He is understood to be mute.

A second man has also been admitted with burns. Five others were treated and discharged.

West Coast is expected to be looking for other dive boats to carry divers who have booked with them on trips. Other boats were moored nearby but not damaged.
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Comments

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That was quick reporting, we just heard about this ourselves 5 minutes ago from a contact at the shipyard. Does not sound good. Our dive company books a lot of people on this boat every year. I hope everyone is OK, sounds like a nasty fire.

Posted by Sunrise on October 13, 2010 12:34

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Fast reports like this with photos are what makes Phuket Wan THE site for up to the minute reporting and news. I hope the people in hospital are ok. Pity about the boat, any info on exactly how it happened?

Posted by Graham on October 13, 2010 13:04

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So many memories during the last years of diving and working in Phuket and Similans... hope everyone will be ok...

Posted by Adriano on October 13, 2010 14:59

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Yes good reporting !

But what about JJ's gold chain ?

Posted by Brian on October 13, 2010 17:17

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excellent photography and reporting crew!

Posted by Sandman on October 13, 2010 18:16

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Wow!
Spectacular fotos! If I were police, I would ask, why you are so fast at the scene. Highly suspicious. And please tell us your connection to anything.

Ok. For real: outstanding job. Looks like an awful accident, hopefully everyone recovers, including the owner.

Posted by Lena on October 13, 2010 19:00

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Looks like a Viking funeral... Let's hope the chap pulls through.

Posted by Tanya Millibank on October 13, 2010 22:16

Editor Comment:

He's no longer in danger.

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Omg! Can't beleive it. Such a shame. My time on this boat was so much fun and such a special group of divers. What a trip. Bad times. I wish everyone well and hope crew and dive team are ok.

Posted by Neil clench ( actor) on October 14, 2010 22:34


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