Pol Capt Chaisilp Ratanawongsa, a duty officer at Weluwan police station, said the incident occurred shortly after midnight at Thep Mongkol monastery at Ban Nong Ben in tambon Non Thon of this central province. Three of the novices lived in Phra Boonchu's shelter while the two others -- Supakorn Bangthong and Apirak Kudtha -- lived in another wooden shelter. When the fire broke out, Phra Boonchu said he and the three novices living with him tried in vain to douse the fire. The fire was put out one hour after a fire truck of Tambon Non Thon Municipality arrived and the shelter was completely destroyed. The two novices were found dead, with the lifeless dog in their arms.

Source: Bangkok Post April 02, 2017 07:07 UTC