Flames Erupt in Bangkok Bar Fire: Video Surfaces, Suspected Air-Con Short Circuit

Central Message

(Translated from Central News Agency, Bangkok, 13th -综合 foreign media report) A devastating, explosive fire at a bar in Bangkok, Thailand, killed 27 people and injured 63. A video verified by Reuters, circulating on social media, shows thick smoke billowing from the building, followed by a violent jet of flames shooting horizontally from the entrance, as patrons scream and flee in panic.

According to Reuters, initial assessments suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit in the air conditioning wiring on the ceiling. Police are investigating potential negligence, including whether emergency exits were blocked, hindering people's escape from the fire.

The fire occurred around 12:00 AM local time (1:00 AM Taiwan time) on the morning of the 13th at a beer restaurant on Lat Phrao Road in Bangkok.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the site early this morning and stated that most of the deceased fled to the back of the building or hid in restrooms, and that there were no clear fire evacuation exit signs on site.

Suriyachai Rawiwan, Director of Bangkok's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said that among the 63 injured, 22 are in critical condition.

The bar is located at a busy intersection in northern Bangkok, easily accessible and near two shopping centers, within walking distance of cinemas, a large park, and the popular Chatuchak Weekend Market, a favorite among foreign tourists during the day.

The area hosts several bars offering live music, typically crowded on weekend nights.

According to the Bangkok Post, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said, based on staff accounts, there were approximately 300 customers inside the bar at the time of the incident, while the venue usually attracts 600 to 700 people each night.

Bangkok's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation preliminarily suspects the fire originated from an electrical short circuit in the ceiling air conditioning unit. Police also pointed to potential contributing factors such as blocked emergency exits, overloaded electrical wiring, and the use of flammable materials during renovations to improve acoustics.

Kittiratt Phanphet, Thailand's National Police Chief, told reporters that the investigation is currently focused on whether negligence was involved. (Translation: Yang Chaoyan) 1150713