- A deadly fire at a Bangkok pub has claimed 27 lives and injured dozens
- Authorities are investigating possible safety violations and negligence
- Officials suspect an electrical fault may have triggered the blaze
At least 27 people have died and more than 70 others were injured after a devastating fire tore through a popular entertainment venue in Bangkok, Thailand, late Sunday night, prompting an investigation into possible negligence and fire safety violations.
Officials said the blaze erupted at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, a licensed restaurant and live music venue in northern Bangkok. Initial findings suggest the fire may have been triggered by an electrical fault in a ceiling-mounted air conditioning unit, although investigators are examining several possible causes, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
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Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, said many victims attempted to escape through the rear of the building but became trapped near the restrooms after failing to locate a clearly marked emergency exit.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration confirmed that 73 people sustained injuries, with 25 reported to be in critical condition. More than 30 victims have already been treated and discharged from hospital.
National Police chief Kittiratt Phanphet said investigators are focusing on possible negligence, including reports that some emergency exits were blocked or locked. Authorities are also examining whether flammable materials used in the venue’s interior contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
Emergency responders described scenes of panic as thick smoke quickly filled the building. Firefighters who entered the charred premises discovered several victims near the toilets, where many had sought refuge after the fire cut off their escape routes.
Witnesses said performers and customers first noticed the smell of burning before flames spread from the ceiling around the stage area. Some survivors also reported that sections of the foam ceiling collapsed during the fire, causing additional injuries.
The pub owner was reportedly among those receiving treatment in an intensive care unit, while police continue to question staff members as part of the investigation.
Although the venue passed a safety inspection earlier this year, city officials are now reviewing whether emergency exits remained accessible and whether furniture, beer crates or other items obstructed evacuation routes.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about fire safety standards in Thailand’s entertainment industry. Similar incidents in recent years, including the 2009 Bangkok nightclub fire that claimed 65 lives and the 2022 Chonburi nightclub blaze that killed 13 people, exposed serious shortcomings in safety compliance despite existing regulations.
Authorities have pledged a thorough investigation to determine responsibility and prevent similar disasters in the future.
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