Phuket City Police were alerted to the fire behind the college in Talad Yai at 1:30pm after students spotted smoke coming out of the home of a professor's house.
Lt Chatri Waitrangsri arrived with his team and two fire engines from Phuket City Municipality to the professor's house where they saw thick smoke and flames coming out of one home. Officials broke the glass window at the front door to spray water into the home to control the fire from escalating to neighbouring structures. It took firemen more than 20 minutes to put out the blaze.
Lt Chatri said,"[The professor] was not at home when the fire happened. All items such as clothing and electronic appliances were damaged, with a total estimation of about B100,000.
"[Students] rushed to the scene with buckets of water, attempting to put the fire out but the blaze was escalating out of control so another professor called for help,"explained Lt Chatri.
"Forensic [department] is looking into evidence to find the true cause of the fire," he added.
The investigation is ongoing.