Bangkok bar fire kills 30, injures 73 in deadly blaze

A late-night fire at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar in northern Bangkok killed 30 people and injured 73, with 24 of the wounded in critical condition. Firefighters needed about half an hour to bring the blaze under control, and it was the city’s deadliest fire in 17 years.

Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said most of the deaths were caused by smoke inhalation. Many of the dead were found trapped in windowless bathrooms near a rear exit as they tried to escape the flames. The death toll stood at 28 on Monday before rising to 30 on Tuesday.

Thai national police chief Kittharath Punpetch said investigators were examining whether the rear exit had been blocked by a table used to sell candy, whether another exit near the kitchen had been narrowed by shelving units and lockers, and whether some exit doors had been locked. Officers were also focusing on the ceiling above the performance stage, where they found materials used as decoration. They were also examining whether flammable materials had been used inside and how electrical wiring had been installed across the ceiling.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said a musician performing at the bar told him he saw smoke coming from a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out, then heard an explosion as thick smoke quickly filled the place. The bar, which in Thai called itself a brewery or beer hall, said it could accommodate as many as 600 customers. Officials did not say how many people were inside Sunday night.

By daybreak Monday, the site had been cordoned off as dozens of forensic officers searched for clues. By Tuesday, former patrons and other mourners were leaving flowers and condolence messages at the scene.