An out of control hot air balloon landed on a house in G-ward, Pyigyidagun Township, Mandalay region on the full moon day of Thadingyut and the fire started from it burnt down eight houses, said Kyaw Kyaw Oo, Deputy Head of Pyigyidagun fire services department.

“We learnt that the fire started from the hot air balloon crash in the residential area. It is a level 3 fire break-out. However, we managed to get it controlled in the level 2 stage,” he said.

A total of 45 fire engines, five bowsers, three administrative vehicles, 80 firefighters and 220 auxiliary firemen were involved to put out the fire. They controlled the fire at 7:35 pm and finally put out the fire at 7:45 pm. The estimated loss is over K10 million, according to the Pyigyidagun fire services department.

The case is still under investigation for further details to be divulged.