70-year-old driver escapes as car catches fire outside hospital

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 6 October 2026, A 70-year-old man narrowly escaped after his sedan caught fire and was destroyed outside Sikhio Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima on Tuesday afternoon.

At around 13:15, Promtham Sikhio rescue workers were alerted to a vehicle fire at the entrance to Sikhio Hospital on Chum Kha Road in Mittraphap subdistrict, Sikhio district.

Rescuers found a silver Toyota Vios with Bangkok license plate กทม 354 Nakhon Ratchasima engulfed in flames, particularly around the engine compartment. Firefighters rushed to control the blaze as people in the area watched.

The car’s owner, identified as 70-year-old Somchai, said he had driven to Nakhon Ratchasima city earlier that morning to see a doctor. The car had been operating normally on his way home until his partner called and asked him to pick her up at Sikhio Hospital.

While waiting at a red light at the Ban Non Kum intersection, he noticed something unusual, which felt like the brakes were sticking. He then smelled smoke and saw it coming from the engine compartment.

Somchai immediately pulled the car onto the roadside near the hospital entrance. Moments later, the vehicle burst into flames. He quickly opened the door and ran to safety.

Two Sikhio Hospital staff members initially tried to help by using fire extinguishers, but they were unable to contain the blaze because the fire was intense and strong winds were blowing.

A fire truck from the Sikhio Municipality disaster prevention and mitigation unit arrived and firefighters sprayed water on the vehicle. The fire was brought under control after about 15 minutes.

Sikhio Mayor Preecha Chantraruwongthong and the deputy mayor visited the scene, while police managed traffic and secured the area.