Image@ BBC
A devastating fire at a crowded entertainment venue in Thailand’s capital has claimed at least 27 lives and injured more than 60 others, prompting renewed scrutiny of safety standards in the country’s nightlife industry.
The blaze erupted on Sunday night at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, a popular bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, where the indie music group Thotsakan was performing before a packed audience.
Witnesses said the fire began near the stage, with smoke first noticed behind the keyboard area.
As alarm spread through the venue, band members urged patrons to evacuate, but the flames rapidly engulfed the building within moments.
Among those who lost their lives were the band’s keyboardist, Kwang, female vocalist Breeze, and drummer Bew.
Another singer, Din, remained unaccounted for as of Monday, while lead vocalist Tik Chaichana escaped after leaving the stage shortly before the fire started.
In a social media message, he said he was physically unharmed but emotionally devastated after losing his belongings in the incident.
Emergency responders succeeded in containing the fire within approximately 30 minutes.
Authorities confirmed that the victims included 18 women and nine men.
More than 60 injured people were taken to hospitals, with twenty-five reported to be in critical condition.
Officials have identified only one foreign national, a citizen of Laos, among those who died.
Videos circulating online captured scenes of panic as customers rushed toward the exits, with some sustaining burn injuries while attempting to flee the burning building.
Residents living near the entertainment venue described the incident as one of the worst fires they had ever witnessed.
Many feared the flames would spread to neighbouring properties as rescue teams and ambulances flooded the area.
Several former patrons have also questioned the building’s layout, describing it as poorly lit with narrow passageways, confusing interior pathways and inadequate emergency exit signage.
Some said they had previously wondered how customers would escape if a fire ever broke out.
Bangkok Governor Chatchart Sittipunt said preliminary assessments indicate that combustible decorative materials attached to the ceiling may have accelerated the spread of the flames.
He also disclosed that reports suggested several victims were discovered near an emergency exit, raising concerns that evacuation routes may have been blocked.
He stressed, however, that investigators are still working to establish the exact cause of the tragedy.
The disaster has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of fire regulations, improved emergency preparedness and mandatory evacuation training for hospitality workers.
Safety advocates have also urged operators of entertainment venues to widen exit doors, clearly mark escape routes and conduct routine fire drills to reduce the risk of similar catastrophes in the future.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong