An overnight fire at a popular bar in Bangkok has killed at least 30 people and injured 70 others, making it one of the deadliest pub disasters in the Thai capital in recent years. Authorities say the venue quickly filled with thick smoke, trapping patrons inside.
The blaze broke out at 11:57 p.m. local time in Bangkok's Chatuchak district, prompting a large emergency response.
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the site on Monday.
"Most of the victims ran to the back of the building, into the bathroom, and there was no clear sign of a fire exit," Anutin told reporters outside the venue after having inspected the interior alongside first responders and rescue officials.
Authorities said the pub rapidly filled with thick smoke after the fire started. Survivors said many people ran towards the back of the venue near the bathrooms but were unable to find fire escapes.
Firefighter Chakrit Khongkom said "The fire was not that aggressive, but the smoke had engulfed one hundred per cent of the venue. The smoke was everywhere. Now there is usually a point where the fire ignited which would have accumulated gas - we call this gas ignition - where the heat travelled and burnt everything, which is what we saw happen in the beginning."
Eyewitness footage showed flames pouring from the entrance as patrons rushed out of the building.
"We sent in a rescue and search squad and found that a lot of them were inside the toilet. Most of them were trying to escape to the back because they saw that the flames were at the front," he explained.
Sukanya Wongwongwai said, "A lot of my friends were severely injured because they were on stage and were obstructed by the instruments, making it harder for them to escape."
"My friend, who is a singer singing on stage, said at first they noticed the smell of something burning, then a little after they saw the ceiling was on fire. Some people were injured because of the (debris) from the ceiling because it seems that the ceiling was made out of foam material to absorb sound," she added.
Officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Reuters verified the location of the footage using business signage, the road layout, a nearby bridge and steel poles, which matched archive imagery and Reuters' aftermath coverage. Additional videos posted online on Monday showed flames engulfing the same location.
The fire is one of the deadliest pub disasters in Bangkok in recent years.
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