UDON THANI — 8 July 2026, Three Chihuahuas were rescued from a smoke-filled house after a fire believed to have started from an electric motorcycle parked outside spread to a car and part of a home in Udon Thani on, officials said.
The Emergency Call Center 199 received a report of a house fire in Ploy Villa housing estate in Nong Bua Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, at 16:00.
Fire engines from Nong Bua Municipality and Udon Thani Municipality were dispatched to the scene.
Firefighters found flames engulfing an electric motorcycle parked in front of the single-storey house. The fire then spread to a nearby car, prompting crews to spray water to prevent the blaze from reaching the main structure. It took about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.
The electric motorcycle was completely destroyed, while the front half of the car sustained significant damage. An air-conditioner compressor and parts of the house were also damaged.
During the operation, residents informed firefighters that three dogs were still trapped inside the house. After the flames were extinguished, crews ventilated the building to clear the smoke before searching the interior.
The three Chihuahuas were found hiding in a bedroom and were carried out safely one by one. The dogs were visibly frightened, trembling and tearing up.
Authorities said the homeowner was away working in another province at the time of the fire, leaving no one inside the house.
Neighbours said they heard three loud bangs, similar to firecrackers, before seeing smoke and flames erupt from the front of the property. They tried to put out the fire with a garden hose while alerting other residents and calling emergency services.
A 67-year-old neighbour, identified only as Em, said he rushed his family to safety after hearing the loud noises and spotting the flames. Although he attempted to extinguish the fire, it spread too quickly, forcing him to seek help.
Another neighbour, Chakkrit, said he heard three to four loud bangs before seeing flames rise from the parked electric motorcycle. The fire spread rapidly because no one was home when it broke out.
Police investigators and forensic officers are scheduled to inspect the scene on 9 July 2026 to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage.
