Bar fireplace kills 27 as flames rip by way of venue in main capital metropolis
At least 27 people have died and dozens were injured after a late-night fire ripped through Bangkok’s Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub, with officials saying many victims were trapped in toilets
Bangkok fire latest: Prime minister says 27 bodies recovered so far(Image: Fire & Rescue Thailand)
A huge blaze at a popular Bangkok pub called Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao in the Chatuchak district has left at least 27 people dead and dozens more injured.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around midnight local time on Monday (July 13). Fire crews arrived to find an intense fire tearing through the front of the building as panicked customers tried to get out.
Thick, black smoke quickly engulfed the venue, and officials said many of those who died were trapped in the pub’s toilets as they attempted to escape. Emergency crews and firefighters had the blaze under control within about 35 minutes.
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, went to the scene soon after to assess the damage and confirm the preliminary death toll. Those who survived but suffered serious burns and smoke inhalation were taken to nearby hospitals.
Authorities have opened an investigation to determine what caused the fire. Public asked to ring hotline if loved ones are unaccounted for, Sky New reported.
Friends and relatives of anyone thought to have been at the pub are being urged to call an emergency hotline, according to Thai outlet Tahirath. The report says people should contact officials “if they suspect any relatives have been at the entertainment venue and cannot be contacted, or if they believe the relatives may have visited this venue”.
Many victims discovered in toilets after reported “explosion” at pub, as per Sky News. Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has given further detail about what happened in the moments before the fire took hold. The Associated Press reports he said a musician performing at the venue told him they noticed smoke coming from a circuit breaker near the stage.
Charnvirakul said the electricity then failed and a blast was heard, before dense smoke quickly spread through the building. He added that many of those who died were found in the bathrooms at the rear of the pub.
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