Horror toll as Bangkok pub engulfed in blaze
A blazing inferno that engulfed a pub in the Thai capital of Bangkok has killed at least 27 people, while many others are fighting for life.
Source: X
At least 27 people are dead and 22 others fighting for life after a blazing inferno engulfed a pub in the Thai capital of Bangkok.
“We have recovered 27 bodies, others are being sent to hospital,” said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the site of the fire that broke out about midnight on Sunday (3pm AEST).
Based on survivor accounts, Anutin said the Rong Beer at Ladprao pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district rapidly filled with smoke after a fire broke out, forcing many to run to the back of the venue near the bathrooms, but there were no fire escapes.
Thai rescuers found the mobile phones of victims of the fatal blaze. Photo: AAP
Another 63 people injured in the incident have been hospitalised, said Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
“The number of deaths has stabilised at 27,” he told Reuters.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said that of those hospitalised, 22 were in critical condition.
“The fire spread very quickly, reaching up to the ceiling. Smoke was likely the main cause of death,” he said outside the venue.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is urgently working to determine if any Australians were involved.
Suriyachai said that by the time the rescue workers arrived at the scene, the fire that witnesses said ignited at the front of the venue’s stage had already burned through the area.
“We have to wait for the police to investigate,” he said.
Firefighter Chakrit Khongkom, 45, said he arrived on the first fire truck to see the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub alight and many patrons stranded inside. Some were trying to escape from the back of the venue.
The few people coming through the front of the venue were burnt.
“The fire was not that aggressive, but the smoke had engulfed 100 per cent of the venue. The smoke was everywhere,” he said.
“Most of the survivors were choking on smoke.”
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Laotian tourist Kan Kutirat said he was drinking alone at the bar about 10pm on Sunday when he noticed smoke rising near the stage.
“I never experienced anything like this before,” he said. “The images are still stuck in my mind.”
Kan shared a video to social media that showed patrons – including some with their shirts ablaze – fleeing into the street as flames surged out the door.
He said he helped carry a woman out of the bar.
“I could only get one person out. I tried my best. I’m sorry,” he wrote.Body-camera footage from an emergency worker seen by Reuters showed firefighters in oxygen masks moving through the darkened remains of the pub with torches as they searched for survivors.
The video also shows what appears to be the fire-damaged main room of the venue, with bar tables and stools still visible.
Chadchart said the pub had the right proper permits and had fire exits. But the fire spread rapidly and smoke filled the room, potentially making it hard for patrons to escape.
Early on Sunday morning, emergency personnel remained at the scene as bodies were prepared for transport and forensic teams collected evidence to help identify the victims.
Numbered bodies lay in two rows awaiting removal, surrounded by many rescue workers. Firefighters stood near the pub’s entrance, its facade scorched and blackened by the blaze.
A band member at the venue told local media that smoke suddenly filled the room after the lights briefly went out, followed by a massive explosion and fire.
“After the explosion I didn’t see anybody trying to run, most of them were on the floor asking for help,” he said, his head still bandaged, without giving his name.
“I ran towards the door from the stage, about five metres. It was dark and there was smoke, no oxygen.”
-with AAP
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