Four killed in fireworks blast

A fireworks display went horribly wrong at a Chinese New Year celebration in Suphan Buri attended by former premier Banharn Silpa-archa.

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A mass of fireworks soars into the night sky from the provincial City Pillar shrine. JORSOR100 TWITTER

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Four killed in fireworks blast

POST REPORTERS

At least four people were killed and more than 70 others injured in an explosion and fire caused by fireworks at a Chinese New Year celebration presided over by former premier Banharn Silpa-archa in Suphan Buri last night.

Witnesses said the explosion occurred during the Trut Jeen Suphan Buri Pee Thong Mungkorn Sawan (Chinese New Year in Suphan Buri, the Year of the Heavenly Dragon) festival in downtown Suphan Buri.

Dr Surin Prasithiran, Suphan Buri provincial health office chief, said three people were killed instantly.

About 75 people were injured, three seriously, when debris from a fireworks display at the provincial City Pillar shrine showered a dense residential community containing hundreds of wooden houses.

Firefighters trying to contain the blaze were unable to enter parts of the area to retrieve the bodies as explosions continued to be heard from within the community. About 30 houses were burned down.

The injured were taken to hospital.

Mr Banharn, the Chartthaipattana Party's de facto leader, presided over the celebration with his brother, Deputy Prime Minister and Chartthaipattana leader Chumpol Silpa-archa. They both escaped unhurt and left the area.

Reports said giant fireworks were set off around 7.30pm. They exploded in mid-air and debris streaked outwards over a dense community located behind the shrine.

Fires quickly ignited and spread rapidly among the packed wooden houses. Many of the fires were still burning out of control late last night.

Locals gather outside the community devasted by fire and debris from the explosion.

The fireworks display was broadcast live on Channel 3.

Jongchai Thiengtham, Chartthaipattana's former deputy secretary-general, said he was seated near Mr Banharn and Mr Chumphol about 100 metres from the explosion.

The blast was so loud that he suffered temporary loss of hearing. It also sent spectators fleeing.

He said many of the injured were technicians who prepared the fireworks.

firework – an object that explodes when you light it and produces coloured lights and loud noise – ดอกไม้ไฟ, ดอกไม้เพลิง, พลุ
soar – to rise very quickly into the air บินสูงขึ้นไปในอากาศ, พุ่งพรวดขึ้น
pillar – a strong column made of stone, metal or wood which supports part of a building เสาหลัก
blast – an explosion การระเบิด
injured – hurt in an accident or attack ซึ่งได้รับบาดเจ็บ
preside – to be in charge of an official meeting, ceremony or other event เป็นประธาน ในพิธี ในที่ประชุม
witness – a person who sees something happen  ผู้ที่เห็นเหตุการณ์
occur – to happen เกิดขึ้น
instantly – immediately ทันที
debris – the broken pieces that are left when something large has been destroyed ซากปรักหักพัง
display – a performance that is intended to entertain people การแสดง
shrine – a place for worship which is holy because of a connection with a holy person or object; a special place in which you remember and praise someone who has died, especially someone famous สถานที่บูชา หรือ หลุมศพ
dense – very thick แน่น,หนาแน่น,หนาทึบ
residential – of a place where people live
community – the people living in one particular area ชุมชน
contain – to prevent from spreading; to keep within limits จำกัด,ควบคุมไว้
blaze – a large fire that cause a lot of damage เพลิง
retrieve – to get something back, especially something that is not easy to find ได้กลับคืนมา
de facto – in reality;  in fact อย่างแท้จริง, อันที่จริง, ตามความจริง
deputy – a person whose rank is immediately below that of the leader of an organisation รอง
streak – to move very fast in a particular direction ไปอย่างรวดเร็ว
located – where something is ตั้งอยู่
ignite – to (cause to) start burning or explode ก่อไฟ, จุด, จุดไฟ
spread –  to affect or covering a larger area แพร่กระจาย
rapidly – happening quickly อย่างรวดเร็ว
packed – crowded; full of people or things แน่น
locals – people who live in a particular place ชาวบ้าน
gather – to come together in a group รวมกลุ่ม, รวมตัวกัน, จับกลุ่มกัน, ชุมนุม
devastated – badly damaged or destroyed ถูกทำลายล้าง
broadcast – to send out a programme on television or radio กระจายเสียง,กระจายข่าว
live – happening now, i.e., not recorded earlier ถ่ายทอดสด
temporary – existing, done or used for only a limited period of time ชั่วคราว
spectator – a person who watches an activity, especially a sports event, without taking part ผู้เข้าชม
flee – to leave a place or person quickly because you are afraid of possible danger หนี อพยพ
technician – a person whose job is keeping a particular type of equipment or machinery in good condition  เจ้าหน้าที่เทคนิค,  ช่าง