A massive blaze engulfed the Na Ladprao pub in northern Bangkok early Monday, with 22 of the injured in critical condition.
7:19 PM
A huge fire engulfed a pub in Bangkok early Monday morning, killing at least 27 people and injuring 63 before firefighters brought the blaze under control, officials said.
The fire was reported around midnight at the Na Ladprao pub, located in the Chatuchak district in the northern part of the Thai capital. Footage shared online by first responders shows a massive blaze raging with plumes of smoke pouring out of the front door. People are seen trying to flee as thick black smoke billows into the sky. Firefighters brought the fire under control around 12:32 a.m. local time, approximately 30 minutes after the initial report.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene and told reporters that 27 people had died and several of the injured had been taken to hospital. Of the 63 injured, 22 were in critical condition, according to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.
According to the prime minister, a musician who was performing at the pub told him that he saw smoke coming out of a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out. An explosion was then heard, and thick smoke quickly filled the venue. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started near the bar's stage and spread rapidly.
Many of the victims were found in the restrooms at the back of the pub. According to survivor accounts relayed by the prime minister, the pub rapidly filled with smoke after the fire broke out, forcing many to run toward the back of the venue near the bathrooms. Preliminary information indicates that the evacuation exit was partially obstructed by tables and decorative elements, which may have hindered patrons' escape.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The pub, also known locally as Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, is popular with local residents and is located near the busy Chatuchak Market, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors on weekends.
Authorities are working to identify the victims. Emergency personnel recovered bodies from the scene and transported the injured to hospitals for treatment.
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