Fire kills at least 27 at Bangkok bar during live performance

At least 27 people were killed and dozens injured in a fire at a popular bar in Bangkok, Thailand, early Monday morning. The blaze broke out around midnight at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in the Chatuchak district, sending thick black smoke billowing through the venue as patrons scrambled to escape.

The fire started while the indie band Thotsakan was performing. The band's manager, Ice Athipat Wijarn, recalled seeing smoke emerging from behind the keyboardist. "The keyboardist, Kwang, shouted for people to flee, and within seconds, a fierce blaze tore through the bar," Ice told a Thai talk show. He described the chaos as people ran and squeezed into each other trying to escape. "Everybody was running, squeezing into each other," he said. Ice managed to crawl towards the exit before an explosion threw him out of the bar.

Tragically, several members of the band, including Kwang, the female singer Breeze, and drummer Bew, died from their injuries. The lead singer, Tik Chaichana, escaped unharmed only because he had gone to the bathroom moments before the fire broke out. "I'm safe, thank you everyone for your concern. But my phone and all my belongings burned... My mind is truly not okay right now," Tik wrote in a Facebook post.

Thai 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. An explosion was then heard, and thick smoke quickly filled the bar.

The investigation is focusing on several possibilities, including whether gas canisters stored in the kitchen contributed to the blaze. Authorities are also examining the use of flammable materials in the bar's interior and whether emergency exits were obstructed. Bangkok's Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said investigators were looking into whether the bar had met fire safety regulations and if emergency exits were blocked.

Witnesses described panicked scenes as people tried to flee the burning building. "There was a boom – a very fast boom ... There was no way to get out at all," 41-year-old Usa Tadsree told Reuters. She added that her two friends died in the fire. Other witnesses described futile attempts to get inside the bar to reach trapped friends. "I heard people screaming. I wanted to go help my brother but I can't get in," Kaewudon Pongpanee told Reuters. "There was smoke, dust, heat."

The fire spread rapidly due to flammable decorative materials on the ceiling, according to Bangkok's governor. The blaze was so intense that large sections of the ceiling were destroyed, and the floor and tables below were blanketed in ash and debris.

At least 71 people were injured in the fire, with 25 in critical condition, according to Thai authorities. The victims were taken to 16 different hospitals in Bangkok.

The Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub was a popular spot for locals and was located near the internationally known Chatuchak market, which attracts thousands of visitors on weekends. However, the market closes early in the evening, so it's unclear how many tourists might have been in the area at the time of the fire.

The fire has raised concerns about safety standards in entertainment venues in Thailand. Experts have noted that inadequate safety measures, such as the use of flammable materials and obstructed escape routes, are common issues in such incidents. Lee Young Ju, a fire safety professor at South Korea’s Kyungil University, said the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, possibly involving audio or lighting equipment or faulty wiring, sparking a blaze that quickly spread across the ceiling.

Thai officials said investigators would examine the ceiling materials and whether any emergency exits were obstructed, potentially hindering evacuation. A Google image from February shows what appeared to be plastic plants in the ceiling above the stage.

The fire has left the community in shock, with many expressing their condolences and support for the victims and their families. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have promised to thoroughly examine the circumstances leading to the tragedy to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Videos shared online by witnesses show the blaze engulfing the bar as thick black smoke pours from the front entrance and people scramble to flee. Photos from the scene showed Thai investigators examining the gutted building, where the heaviest damage appeared to be overhead.

The fire has highlighted long-standing concerns about safety regulations in Thailand's nightlife venues. Experts have pointed to inadequate safety measures, such as the use of flammable decorative materials and obstructed escape routes, as common factors in such tragedies.

As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of lives and the devastating impact of the fire. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures in public venues to prevent such incidents in the future.