Makkasan community fire destroys 15 homes; one person found dead

Bangkok, September 1, 2026 - A fire engulfed a wooden community near Sukhumvit 3 Road in Makkasan, destroying 15 homes and resulting in one death. The alarm was raised at 2:35 a.m. by police, who dispatched firefighters from multiple stations, along with emergency medical teams and rescue volunteers. The blaze quickly spread through the tightly packed wooden houses bordering Saen Saep Canal, prompting residents to evacuate in a state of panic, even assisting the elderly and those confined to beds.

Firefighters managed to bring the inferno under control after an hour. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities have confirmed the death of an individual whose identity and gender have yet to be determined. Residents reported hearing a noise similar to footsteps on glass before spotting flames rapidly consuming one house near a day care center, subsequently spreading to neighboring dwellings.

The long-standing community, established over 50 years ago, comprises more than 30 closely built wooden homes. The Ratchathewi district office has set up a temporary shelter for the affected residents at Wat Makkasan on Phetchaburi Road. Forensic experts are currently on the scene, alongside police, as they endeavor to ascertain the origin of the devastating fire.