PHITSANULOK: An old wooden pavilion in a temple in Wang Thong district was destroyed by fire early on Tuesday.
The fire at Wat Khao Noi Sriratanaram in tambon Kaeng Sopha was reported to Kaeng Sopha police about 2am, Pol Capt Sakon Chiewwichit said.
Fire engines and crews from Kaeng Sopha and Wang Nok Aen tambon administration organisations were dispatched to the scene.
The 30-year-old, open wooden building was already engulfed in flames when they arrived. The fire crews put the flames out in about 30 minutes but by then the pavilion had burned down. They did prevent the flames spreading to other buildlings.
The temple's main Buddha image was also damaged.
The temple abbot, Phra Athikan Chamnong Techathammo, said he and the other monks were asleep in their quarters. They were awoken by two loud explosions, went to investigate and saw the pavilion was on fire. He called for help.
Nobody was hurt. Damage was being assessed. Police were investigating the cause of the fire.
