27 Killed, 63 Injured in Bangkok Pub Fire; Probe Underway

BANGKOK, July 13: At least 27 people were killed and 63 others injured, including 22 in critical condition, after a fire tore through a crowded pub in Bangkok late Sunday, authorities said.

The blaze erupted at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao live music venue and spread rapidly before firefighters brought it under control in the early hours of Monday.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the fire quickly engulfed the ceiling and that smoke inhalation was believed to be the main cause of death. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, said musicians at the venue reported seeing smoke rising from a circuit breaker near the stage before the power failed, followed by an explosion.

"Most of the victims ran to the back, to toilets with no exit. It could be because of panic, because there was fire and smoke," the prime minister said.

Officials said many victims were found inside rear restrooms, while several bodies were discovered near a fire exit that investigators believe may have been obstructed.

Governor Chadchart said authorities were working to identify the victims, noting that many were unconscious or were not carrying identification.

Suriyachai Rawiwan, head of Bangkok's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said emergency crews arrived within five minutes of receiving the alarm, but the flames had already spread throughout the venue.

"When we went in to search, we found tables and seating blocking the way everywhere and the heat was intense," he said.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether safety violations contributed to the high death toll.