Fire breaks out at fresh food store in Nongprue — owner jumps from second floor to escape flames. PATTAYA, Thailand – A fierce early-morning fire broke out at a fresh food store in East Pattaya on June 24, forcing residents to leap from the building to escape the flames as firefighters and local residents rushed to prevent a potentially catastrophic explosion from stored fireworks. The fire was reported at 4:06 a.m. to the Nongprue Municipal Disaster Relief Radio Center. Emergency teams, including Nongprue police and rescue units, responded immediately to the Phumjai Fresh Food Store in Soi Wat Boonsampan 2. The two-story building housed a ground-floor grocery business selling fresh meat, frozen goods, and beverages, with residential quarters above. Flames rapidly engulfed the structure, producing thick smoke that trapped three people inside. A man on the ground floor was unable to escape until nearby residents forced open the back door and pulled him to safety. He sustained minor injuries. Meanwhile, two women on the second floor, overwhelmed by smoke and heat, were forced to jump. Both suffered burns to their legs and smoke inhalation. One woman attempted to climb across a neighboring balcony but lost her grip; she was caught by a bystander, avoiding serious injury. Firefighters race to control blaze and prevent fire from reaching large fireworks stockpile inside the store. Five fire engines from Nongprue Municipality arrived on scene and managed to control the blaze within 20 minutes, preventing it from spreading to adjacent homes, many of which housed elderly residents, children, and patients. No additional injuries were reported, though the building and most of its contents were destroyed. A major concern during the operation was a large stockpile of fireworks and firecrackers stored inside the building. Fire crews worked quickly to cool the area and keep flames from reaching the explosives, successfully averting further disaster. Witnesses reported that workers had been welding steel structures for an expansion to the store the day before the fire. While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, investigators are looking into whether welding sparks or an electrical short circuit may have ignited the blaze. CCTV footage captured the moment the fire started, as well as the store owner’s escape. Nongprue Police have sealed the site and are working with the Chonburi Provincial Forensic Science Division to determine the precise cause. Welding sparks suspected to have ignited fire at Pattaya food shop; police review CCTV and investigate cause.