At least 27 dead in Bangkok bar fire, Thai PM says
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has confirmed at least 27 deaths in a fire at a bar in Bangkok. Most victims were found in the building's toilets where they had tried to hide from the smoke and flames.
A massive fire at a bar in Bangkok, Thailand, has killed at least 27 people, according to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Firefighters were called to the scene shortly after midnight and found patrons fleeing through the burning entrance. Unverified video footage shows flames shooting out of the bar as a woman falls to the ground before getting up and escaping.
The prime minister told journalists at the scene that 27 people had died and several others were hospitalized. He emphasized that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Charnvirakul said he asked a musician who was performing at the time about what happened. The musician reported that a fire started at a cut-out switch, followed by a blast, and then everyone tried to flee the smoke and flames. Many were unable to escape because they moved to the back of the building and hid in the toilet, where most of the bodies were found.
The bar, locally known as Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, is located in the Chatuchak District and is a well-known entertainment venue and restaurant, according to Thai outlet Daily News. Firefighters managed to control the blaze within half an hour. Photos taken inside after the fire show the interior completely charred and blackened, with the ceiling peeling off.
Several people remain missing after the disaster, Thai outlet Thairath reported. Personnel from the Sutthisan Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene at 00:02 local time. Unverified reports indicate that a driver passing by saw the fire break out at 23:30 local time. He told Daily News that he jumped out of his car and broke windows to help two people escape.
