Bangkok bar fire death toll reaches 30 as safety review begins

The number of people killed in a fire at a Bangkok music bar has risen to 30, officials said Tuesday, as authorities continued to examine the cause of the disaster and the venue’s safety compliance. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said more than 70 people were injured, including 24 who remained in critical condition.

The fire broke out late Sunday at Rong Beer Na Ladprao in a northern area of Thailand’s capital, according to The Associated Press. Fire crews brought the blaze under control in about 30 minutes.

The AP reported that it was Bangkok’s deadliest bar fire in 17 years. The venue described itself in Thai as a brewery or beer hall and said it could hold up to 600 customers, though officials had not determined how many people were inside when the fire started.

Police said many of those who died were discovered in bathrooms without windows, where they may have gone while trying to get away from the flames. Investigators are looking into what caused the fire and whether the business complied with safety rules.

City orders inspections

Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said Tuesday that he had directed city officials to carry out a broad review of similar venues to identify fire risks. He said the city would also increase enforcement of existing rules to raise safety standards.

Mourners and former customers went to the site Tuesday, according to the AP. Flowers were placed near guardrails blocking off the burned building, and handwritten notes in Thai and other languages, including Korean, expressed sympathy for the victims.

Debris from the bar, including burned chairs and melted musical instruments, had been moved onto the sidewalk Monday as Thai officials investigated, the AP reported. University student Thanakon Phoklang, who stopped by the scene, told the AP he wanted to pay his respects and described the loss as regrettable.

Engineer cites possible hazards

Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Thailand Structural Engineers Association, told reporters Monday outside the bar that he had not inspected the building but had seen conditions that could have increased the danger in a fire.

Amorn said the structure appeared enclosed, with low ceilings and possible foam decoration that may not have been properly treated to resist flames. He said limited ventilation could allow smoke to build quickly and create toxic air, which he said may have been a major factor in many deaths.

Amorn also said officials had described the bar as licensed as a restaurant with live music, rather than as an entertainment venue, because it was outside the zone set aside for such businesses. He said that classification would mean the venue was not subject to the tighter fire safety rules applied to entertainment venues.

Amorn called for changes in fire safety practices and stronger enforcement, saying Thailand had laws but needed to ensure they were applied strictly. City and police officials have not announced a final determination on the cause of the fire.

This story draws on original reporting from NPR.