Big fire on Phi Phi island, tourists injured

Fire races through packed tourist accommodation on Koh Phi Phi, Krabi province, late on Tuesday night. (Photos supplied by Achadtaya Chuenniran)

KRABI: Three Thais and six foreign tourists were injured when a fire raged through 25 shops, bungalows and a small hotel on Phi Phi Island late Tuesday night.

The fire started in the kitchen of the small October Hostel & Resto hotel on Soi Slinky Bar about 9.30pm, Krabi dputy governor Apinant Pueakpong said.

Firefighters believed a cylinder of cooking gas exploded. It took them about three hours to control the blaze. Many tourists pitched in to help.

The deputy governor said the fire spread quickly through a total of 25 premises. Damage was estimated at 30 million baht.

Thai and foreign tourists were injured jumping for their lives from the buildings. They suffered from burns and smoke inhalation.

The six injured foreign tourists - two Brazilians, three Argentinians and an Israeli - and injured Thais were taken to Koh Phi Phi Hospital and local clinics. The Argentinians were later discharged.

Somsak Kittitornkul, president of the Krabi provincial administrative organisation, said about 100 tourists were left without accommodation after the fire. They were taken in free of charge by other local operators. He thanked tourists for helping firefighters put out the fire.

"Koh Phi Phi lacks tap water and fire extinguishing systems. It is packed with hotels and shops. Local authorities will draw up a plan to more efficiently cope with any future fires," he said.