Fire in built environment

A fierce fire tore through a cluster of fishing boats moored in Khanom canal in the early hours of Friday, destroying at least eight vessels and causing damage estimated at more than 10 million baht.
The blaze broke out at a fishing pier in village Moo 1 of tambon Khanom, Pol Capt Athon Thongnak, a duty investigator at Khanom police station, who was reported at about 1am.
Police from concerned agencies, including marine police, and rescue workers rushed to the scene to help combat the fire.
On arrival, authorities found flames raging through a row of older fishing boats moored at the Chok Anavil raft in Khanom canal. The fire quickly spread to nearby Por Pornnimit Charoenchai raft. Fire engines were deployed, but efforts to bring the blaze under control were hampered by strong winds. It took about four hours to extinguish the fire, said police.
Preliminary inspections showed eight fishing boats were completely destroyed and initial damage was estimated at least 10 million baht.
Police initially believed the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit on one of the boats, with flames quickly spreading to adjacent vessels. However, investigators said they have yet to identify which boat was the source of the fire and stressed that arson remained a possible cause.
A witness told police that the fire initially broke out on one boat before its mooring rope snapped, allowing the burning vessel to drift into nearby boats and ignite them in succession.
Forensic officers were conducting a detailed examination of the scene to determine the exact cause.
Speculation has circulated that the fire may have been intentionally set in protest over high fuel prices and shortages.
There were reports that the damaged boats belong to the family of an unsuccessful MP candidate, Charnwatana Issarawatana of the Democrat Party in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Constituency 9.
The fleet was said to be the largest in this southern province and consisted mainly of large single-trawl fishing boats.