A devastating fire at a Bangkok pub has killed at least 30 people and injured 75, with 24 of those injuries considered critical. The fire, which occurred on Sunday, is believed to have been sparked by an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner.
Cause of the Fire
According to authorities, the fire erupted at 11:57 p.m. and quickly spread due to the use of highly combustible materials in the pub’s decor. The materials, which included artificial trees and flowers, produced extreme heat, smoke, and deadly toxins, making it difficult for people to escape.
Experts who have studied the blaze say that the severity of the fire was driven by a massive fuel load, with the highly flammable acoustic material and decorations contributing to the extreme heat and smoke.
Emergency Response
Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes, but the combination of factors, including the obstructed emergency exits and the lack of a complete fire protection system, proved deadly for many of those trapped inside. The pub’s decorative items, made from non-fire-retardant foam, produced black smoke containing carbon monoxide and cyanide, which choked people trapped inside.
A search and rescue squad found many victims lying around the toilets at the back of the venue, where authorities said multiple emergency exits were obstructed by tables and beer crates.
Investigation and Regulations
Thai police are investigating if emergency exits were obstructed and prevented victims from escaping the burning pub, which underwent a safety inspection in April. The use of flammable materials and decorative items, crowded conditions, and unusable emergency exits in Thai establishments have been previously flagged, including after a 2022 nightclub fire in Chonburi that killed 13 people and a 2009 blaze at another Bangkok nightclub that killed at least 65.
Bangkok city authorities have said they plan to review multiple regulations, including the use of decorative materials and the definition of entertainment establishments. The incident has once again put a spotlight on fire safety regulations and lax enforcement in Thailand’s hospitality industry.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
