PHRAE – A fire broke out on the second floor of a patient ward building at Phrae Hospital in Mueang Phrae district, Phrae province. Staff quickly evacuated patients as smoke spread through the upper floors. Officials later brought the situation under control, with no injuries reported.
The incident was reported at about 5.30 pm on 12 January. Smoke was seen inside the Maitri Pracha Building on floor 2, prompting the hospital to mobilise nurses, nursing assistants, and rescue teams. Patients were moved out of the affected areas as fast as possible, starting from floor 2 and continuing up to floors 3 to 5, where smoke had drifted.
The evacuation was tense and busy. Teams carried oxygen cylinders to support patients who needed help breathing. At the same time, firefighters and hospital staff moved hoses and equipment up the building. Power was switched off, and lifts were not allowed to be used during the response.
After around an hour, all 124 patients had been relocated from the building. They were transferred to other hospital buildings that were not affected, where care continued. No patients or staff were reported injured or harmed.
Once everyone was out, crews focused on extinguishing the fire, spraying water until it was fully contained.
Police from Phrae City Police Station inspected the scene. Damage was found around the electrical and water systems on the second floor. Medical equipment and patient beds were left scattered inside rooms during the rush to evacuate.
The hospital temporarily closed the second floor for safety checks. Floors 1, 3, 4, and 5 remained open as normal, and lift services later returned to normal operation. The cause of the fire is still being investigated, with evidence to be gathered from the affected second-floor area.
