Monk and layman die in fire at Thai temple in New York City
A THAI Buddhist monk and a layman died in a fire at Wat Usa Buddhayaram temple in New York City in the early hours of Wednesday morning (Feb. 12) (local time) with the blaze raging violently as it snowed in the bitter cold, Naewna newspaper said today (Feb. 14).
Facebook user Mr. Thanat Inthisan who shared this sad news said it was Phra Maha Direk Chomphunit who died in the blaze while a Thai man who also did not survive was only named as Mr. Pat with his real name and surname still unknown.
Others who survived the blaze are Phra Manop Srisawat (Phra Dhamma 30), who had been hospitalised for smoke inhalation but now discharged, Phra Yut Chakkaworn (Pha Wong) (Phra Dhamma 24), Phra Chitja Kunkaro (Panajit) and Wade Bhuripanyo (guest), an American.
Buddha images and some undamaged property as well as monks’ personal documents were moved to Wat Vajiradhammapadip temple, also in New York City, where the monks from the damaged temple are now residing.
An insurance company representative has held talks with a representative of the badly damaged temple while the Thai embassy offered condolences.
photo: Naewna
This report originally appeared at www.thainewsroom.com
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