Bangkok Bar Fire Claims 30 Lives; Police Investigate Negligence

Deadly Blaze Hits Bangkok

The fire that erupted at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao pub in Bangkok on Monday has claimed 30 lives, making it one of the city's deadliest fires in recent memory. The death toll continues to rise as authorities identify more victims and gather evidence.

Negligence Suspected

According to local police chief Kitrat Phanphet, negligence is currently considered the primary theory guiding their investigation. He stated that one of the main concerns was the accessibility of exits during the fire. Most victims were found trapped in windowless bathrooms near rear exits, which may have been either blocked or improperly locked. Additionally, the kitchen exit might have been obstructed by shelving units and lockers.

Police also noted that at least one door that could serve as an exit was bolted shut. The pub owner feared customers would escape without paying their bills but assured that the door should not have hindered anyone’s ability to evacuate safely.

Emergency Response and Injuries

The emergency response was swift, with 17 hospitals across Bangkok treating victims. At Rajavithi hospital alone, most of the 11 patients had burn injuries, while four men and two women were in critical condition requiring intensive care. Many survivors described harrowing experiences as they fled through flames.

A poignant moment during rescue efforts involved a 31-year-old woman who escaped by running out of the building while on fire. Her boyfriend helped extinguish her flames, only to find her asking, “Am I still beautiful?” This incident highlights the intense suffering endured by those caught in the blaze.

Meanwhile, the surviving workers and family members of the deceased are grappling with their loss. Pongpanee brothers, migrant workers from Laos, identified one another's bodies at the morgue. Pongpaset Pongpanee expressed his grief and hope for his brother to be returned home.

As the city mourns, a poignant atmosphere surrounds the pub site, with floral tributes and silent prayers left by locals who came to pay their respects.

Investigation Details

An initial assessment by disaster officials found an electrical short circuit in an air conditioner located in the ceiling had caused the fire. The local district office said on Tuesday that three more people had died after the devastating fire that broke out in the early hours of Monday. Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of the country, visited the scene and was told a door that was once an exit was bolted with the proprietor afraid that customers would slip out without paying their bills.

“If they had run this way, it would have been fine,” Anutin responded. Investigators were also assessing the ceiling above a performance stage, Kitrat said. Police will examine whether flammable materials were used in decorative elements and how electrical wiring was installed across the ceiling.

Victim Identification and Medical Response

The pub, located in the city’s north, also pledged its full support to the investigation and “transparent fact-finding process”. The national police chief, Kitrat Phanphet, told reporters on Monday: “At this time, police have established negligence as the primary theory guiding their investigation.”

Of the injured, 24 are in a critical condition, 15 have moderate injuries, and 36 sustained minor injuries and have returned home. The identities of 27 victims have been confirmed, with three yet to be identified. Most are believed to be Thai nationals.

Community Response

Outside the cordoned-off pub on Tuesday, the acrid smell of smoke had diminished, replaced by the scent of white chrysanthemums and garlands of marigolds, some bearing notes to the deceased. Spiritual offerings of cake, rice and soda had also been placed at the site. Those who knew the victims came throughout the day, as did strangers paying their respects, such as Ratchada Tangprasert, who said a silent prayer before leaving a floral garland.

Tangprasert, who lives around the corner from the pub, said she felt heartsick imagining the last moments of the victims. “I don’t know anyone but I feel so sad.” She said she hoped it would be a lesson for the Thai government and the country as a whole about improving safety.

Another woman came with her mother and brothers to remember her relative Saengdao Senaphak, who had died. They placed offerings “to call the spirits of the deceased back home.”

Conclusion

The tragedy at Rong Beer Na Ladprao serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety regulations and the critical role of accessible exits in emergency situations. The community's response and the ongoing investigation highlight the need for greater vigilance and transparency in ensuring public safety.

Sources: The Guardian, Al Jazeera