Officials estimate the losses at about B250,000, excluding structural damage.
No people were reported as injured from the blaze.
Pol Lt Col Nuchree Longkaew, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Phuket City Police Station, was informed of the fire at 3:40pm. She immediately dispatched officers to the scene and coordinated efforts with municipal and provincial disaster response teams, deploying 10 fire trucks from various agencies to combat the blaze.
Firefighters took over 30 minutes to bring the flames under control. The fire destroyed sound equipment, electrical appliances, ceremonial fabrics and other stored items. Engineers are set to assess the structural integrity of the building.
Phra Khru Ratsadakitchaphiwat (Prayut Itton), 56, a monk at the temple, recounted hearing unusual clicking sounds before a loud explosion and sparks erupted from an electrical panel.
Within seconds, the fire spread, fueled by the stored items. Monks attempted to douse the flames with a water hose but were unsuccessful due to its limited reach.
The main electrical breaker was shut off, and emergency services were called. The first firefighters arrived about 10 minutes later, he said.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. Forensic experts will conduct further examinations to determine the exact cause of the incident.