PHUKET: Phuket forensics police are today investigating a blaze that destroyed part of the 150 million baht home of a Phuket expat.
Swede Fredrik Gromer was in Central Festival in Phuket City last night shopping as his house caught fire.
The sala and sauna section of the two-storey, four-building home on a wooded slope near KhaoKhad Viewpoint, on Phuket's eastern seaboard, burned out almost completely soon after 7pm, while Mr Gromer was at the Phuket City shopping mall.
Two fire trucks fought the blaze, having struggled for access on the slope, and managed to contain the blaze to the sala building.
Mr Gromer, 45, later told Phuket City police that he had been living and working on Phuket for 15 years. His company creates three-dimensional architectural renderings.
''I came home at 7.15 to find the place on fire,'' he said today. ''My neighbor left at 6.50pm and there was no fire. Another person who walked past at 7pm also saw no fire.
''My main concern was saving the other buildings,'' he said.
Mr Gomer said that he had no wish to make accusations but told police that about a month ago, he had sacked the live-in caretaker from the property. The man had since filed a case against him in the Labor Court.
Mr Gromer said an electrical fault was one possible cause of the blaze. Phuket City forensic police went to the burned-out building with Mr Gromer today.
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The sala and sauna section of the two-storey, four-building home on a wooded slope near KhaoKhad Viewpoint, on Phuket's eastern seaboard, burned out almost completely soon after 7pm, while Mr Gromer was at the Phuket City shopping mall.
Two fire trucks fought the blaze, having struggled for access on the slope, and managed to contain the blaze to the sala building.
Mr Gromer, 45, later told Phuket City police that he had been living and working on Phuket for 15 years. His company creates three-dimensional architectural renderings.
''I came home at 7.15 to find the place on fire,'' he said today. ''My neighbor left at 6.50pm and there was no fire. Another person who walked past at 7pm also saw no fire.
''My main concern was saving the other buildings,'' he said.
Mr Gomer said that he had no wish to make accusations but told police that about a month ago, he had sacked the live-in caretaker from the property. The man had since filed a case against him in the Labor Court.
Mr Gromer said an electrical fault was one possible cause of the blaze. Phuket City forensic police went to the burned-out building with Mr Gromer today.
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The Swede would do well to get final documentation from the police that he is not at fault. A few years back, two friends of mine were arrested upon arrival back to Thailand because new Pol. chief decided to re-open their case and name them as suspects.
Posted by Nathan on May 23, 2011 12:37
Editor Comment:
In that case, the people involved were renting the premises.