THE death toll from the deadly Thai bar fire has climbed to 30, as police investigate whether flammable decorations and locked doors fuelled the disaster.
Investigators continue to comb through the charred wreckage, trying to understand exactly what caused that broke out at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar.
The death toll resulting from Bangkok’s deadliest fire in recent years has risen to 30. Credit: AFP
Grief-stricken mourners flock to site of a deadly blaze Credit: Reuters
The death toll rose to 30 after three injured victims died in the hospital, officials said.
Two days after the deadly June 12 blaze, the bar is under scrutiny over whether it was following proper safety regulations.
On Monday, Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, revealed that beer crates blocked one of the fire exits.
Survivors reported doors being locked and a lack of signage to guide them to safety.
Tributes have begun to flow out for the victims Credit: Reuters
Charred instruments are among the burnt wreckage Credit: EPA
Most of the people who were killed were found trapped in windowless bathrooms where they may have sought to escape the flames, said.
On Monday, the president of the Structural Engineers Association, Amorn Pimanmas, said while he had not inspected the venue, he observed some risk factors that could worsen fire hazards.
He said the building is enclosed, has low ceilings and may have used foam as decorative materials, without adequate flame-retardant treatment.
Combined with limited air ventilation, smoke would accumulate quickly, he said, creating toxic air that could be the main cause of death for many victims.
24 people are fighting for their lives in hospital Credit: AFP
The burnt bottles are among remnants of fire Credit: Reuters
Bangkok’s Metropolitan Administration says it is reviewing regulations governing the materials allowed in the construction and decoration of entertainment venues and restaurants alike.
More than 70 others were injured in the incident, with 24 in hospital in critical conditions.
Mr Pimanmas called for a “revolution” in fire safety procedures.
He said: “It’s not that we don’t have the law, but it’s the problem of how the law could be strictly enforced from now on.
A monk is with relatives of the victim Credit: Reuters
A member of the emergency response team inspects the ceiling at the site of a deadly fire Credit: Reuters
“I think the government should answer this question.”
Police probe potential negligence, looking at whether exits were obstructed and the use of flammable materials for stage decorations and soundproofing did in fact supercharge the fire.
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, has vowed to enforce stricter inspections.
At a press conference on Tuesday, he said: “We’ve set up a committee to investigate the truth, what should be improved and what rules should be changed.
One of the 30 victims carried in a coffin Credit: EPA
Bodies of victims of a fire are seen laid in a row in Bangkok Credit: AP
“We will do more random checks.”
Witnesses of the deadly blaze describe a huge explosions, a horizontal burst of fire and smoke engulfing the music venue in the city’s northern Chatuchak area.
Preliminary investigations suggest a electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner could have triggered the fire in the pub, which underwent a safety inspection in April.
Former patrons of the bar and other mourners visited the site Tuesday, adding to the growing pile of flowers leaning on the guardrails cordoning off the location of the blaze.
Handwritten messages in Thai and other languages, including Korean, were left alongside white flowers, expressing condolences to the victims.
Debris from the bar like melted musical instruments and blackened chairs lay scattered along the pavement.
University student Thanakon Phoklang said he was passing by and wanted to pay his respects, calling the loss regrettable.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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