Firefighters attempting to put out a fire at an abandoned Sattahip house were attacked with rocks and sticks by the intoxicated drug user suspected of setting the fire.
Authorities were called Nov. 27 to an empty Sukhumvit Road two-story home near the Sattahip Market whose second floor was on fire.
Police and volunteers drag away the suspect so that firefighters could extinguish the blaze.
Two engine companies set to work extinguishing the blaze, but quickly discovered a crazed-looking man, identified later as Weerasak Boonruang, 28, still inside. Still holding the inhalant he apparently was high on, Weerasak then began throwing rocks, bottles and sticks at the firefighters.
Faced with the onslaught, the firemen at first retreated, then decided to turn the hoses on the drug user to force him out of the house. The tactic worked and Weerasak was taken to Queen Sirikit Hospital for treatment.
The house fire was extinguished in 20 minutes and Weerasak was later charged with arson.
Homeowner Sia Chathirun, 63, said the house had been vacant for several years and claimed that Weerasak had recently began squatting there to take drugs.
