Bangkok, Thailand. A fire at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in northern Bangkok killed 27 people and injured 63 others, officials said on Monday, after obstructed emergency exits hindered patrons trying to flee smoke and flames.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said 27 bodies had been recovered, while 22 of the injured were in critical condition.
Fire and evacuation
The fire broke out around midnight on Sunday at the pub, which is located in a busy northern Bangkok area near two shopping malls, cinemas, parks and the Chatuchak weekend market.
A video of the incident posted on social media and verified by Reuters showed thick smoke emerging from the venue before an intense horizontal plume of fire shot from a doorway as customers fled.
Officials said survivor accounts indicated that the fire began near the front stage section and spread quickly. Many patrons ran towards the back of the venue, where the kitchen and bathrooms are located.
Initial findings
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said an initial assessment indicated that an electrical short circuit in a ceiling-mounted air conditioner caused the fire.
Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the department, said 63 people had been hospitalised, including 22 in critical condition.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the venue had two fire exits, but access to both was obstructed. Beer crates blocked an exit near the kitchen, while a table obstructed the other exit.
He said forensic investigators would need to examine the scene more closely.
Emergency response
Firefighter Chakrit Khongkom said he arrived on the first fire truck to find the pub burning and several patrons stranded inside, with some attempting to escape through the rear of the venue.
He said the few people who came out through the front entrance had suffered burns.
