Fire closes Khon Kaen airport

BANGKOK, Jan 26 (TNA) -- Fire damaged the passenger terminal of Khon Kaen airport and forced its closure. Firefighters took about an hour to control the blaze. The fire erupted in a power control room on the third floor of the terminal at about 5.30am and spread to other sections of the building. More than 10 fire engines were mobilised. About 2,000 passengers were stranded as management stopped services at the airport and flights were diverted to Udon Thani airport that is about 120 kilometres away from Khon Kaen province. Sixteen flights were affected. Police were investigating the cause of the fire. Khon Kaen governor Somsak Jangtrakul said the passenger terminal was off limits as smoke blanketed the whole building. He ordered quick ventilation and discharge of water from the terminal. “Only the power control section was damaged and air traffic control is intact,” he said. He hoped the airport could resume operation this afternoon. Initially there was not a report of any injury or fatality. (TNA)