PHUKET: Assistance for more than 3500 staff thrown out of work by Phuket's gigantic SuperCheap blaze has been declared a priority by interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan.
More aid measures are expected to emerge from talks between the store's owners and Phuket Governor Maitree intrusud today.
About 200 rescue workers entered the stil-smouldering store premises yesterday afternoon for the first time since Wednesday night's inferno.
The work was arduous because the fire is still burning in places and many pieces of metal remain hot to touch.
Fears that scores of shoppers and staff may have died in the intense fire have receded with just one person now listed as missing and no victims suffering burns as they fled the blaze.
The fire broke out about 9.30pm on Wednesday and was not contained until 6am the next day. A huge column of fire and smoke billowed into the sky and could be seen from all over Phuket City.
The giant tin shed store was the headquarters for a network of low-priced convenience outlets that exptends all over Phuket and is reckoned to be especially popular with Phuket's poor and underprivileged.
Meetings today are also expected to look at ways of restoring supply lines for fresh food and general items.
The store was insured for 620 million baht.
Rescuers abandoned their search and cleanup operation at SuperCheap at 7pm and are expected to resume early today.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=587230417991096&set=vb.100001124301679&type=2&theater/
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=536866203055440&set=vb.100001961965470&type=2&theater/
More aid measures are expected to emerge from talks between the store's owners and Phuket Governor Maitree intrusud today.
About 200 rescue workers entered the stil-smouldering store premises yesterday afternoon for the first time since Wednesday night's inferno.
The work was arduous because the fire is still burning in places and many pieces of metal remain hot to touch.
Fears that scores of shoppers and staff may have died in the intense fire have receded with just one person now listed as missing and no victims suffering burns as they fled the blaze.
The fire broke out about 9.30pm on Wednesday and was not contained until 6am the next day. A huge column of fire and smoke billowed into the sky and could be seen from all over Phuket City.
The giant tin shed store was the headquarters for a network of low-priced convenience outlets that exptends all over Phuket and is reckoned to be especially popular with Phuket's poor and underprivileged.
Meetings today are also expected to look at ways of restoring supply lines for fresh food and general items.
The store was insured for 620 million baht.
Rescuers abandoned their search and cleanup operation at SuperCheap at 7pm and are expected to resume early today.
SuperCheap Blaze VIDEO
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=587230417991096&set=vb.100001124301679&type=2&theater/
SuperCheap Fireworks VIDEO
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=536866203055440&set=vb.100001961965470&type=2&theater/
Such a terrible shame. I will miss that place. Let's hope they can rebuild quickly and, next time, pay attention to health, safety and fire regulations.
Glad there aren't more casualties.
Posted by Buster on October 18, 2013 15:36