On Tuesday morning, the death toll from a fire at a bar in Bangkok rose to 30 people, with authorities identifying 27 of the deceased victims. The incident has deeply affected the local community, and many people are expressing their shock and sorrow. More than 70 individuals have been injured, with 24 of them in critical condition. Investigators believe that the fire started due to a short circuit in an air conditioner, which led to a sudden power failure throughout the venue.
Survivors have voiced serious concerns about the bar's safety design. They have noted that the lighting was poor and the exit signs were unclear, making it difficult to escape. Phatsara Khamloet, a visitor from May, mentioned that navigating the bar’s layout was challenging, as it featured a winding route to the bathroom. Busakorn Saensuk, a fire safety expert, discovered that some doors were locked, while others were partially blocked by furniture. As frightened customers ran towards the back area, many found themselves trapped, unable to escape the blaze.
Additionally, experts revealed shocking details about the stage’s construction. It contained highly flammable materials, such as plastic flowers, allowing the fire to spread incredibly fast. The Thai indie band Thotsakan was performing when the disaster occurred, and tragically, they lost two members in the incident. Sadly, many victims have likely died from inhaling toxic smoke before the flames could reach them. This toxic smoke is a dangerous byproduct of burning materials, including carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, which are often referred to as the "toxic twins" of fire smoke.
In response to the tragedy, the city is reviewing safety regulations for entertainment venues, particularly focusing on materials used in construction and decoration. The bar was registered as a restaurant with live music, which meant it was not required to use fire-retardant materials. This raises important questions about safety measures in similar venues, especially since the owner had previously owned another pub that was destroyed by fire in 2019 without causing any casualties. The municipal authorities are under pressure to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.