At least 27 people were killed and 63 others injured after a devastating fire swept through a crowded bar and restaurant on the outskirts of Bangkok late Sunday night, making it Thailand's deadliest fire disaster in nearly two decades. Officials said 22 of the injured remain in critical condition as investigators work to determine how the blaze spread so rapidly.
The fire erupted at around 11 p.m. at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, a venue with a capacity of more than 300 people that features a performance stage, two bars, a kitchen, and four designated emergency exits. Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames burst through the entrance and customers rushed to escape. Videos verified by media outlets showed people running from the building screaming, with several victims suffering severe burns and some emerging with their clothing still on fire.
By early Monday morning, body bags lined the area outside the destroyed venue while forensic teams began examining the scene. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the blaze spread with extraordinary speed. "The fire spread very quickly, reaching up to the ceiling. Smoke was likely the main cause of death," he told reporters.
Authorities believe several victims were discovered near one of the emergency exits, raising concerns that the escape route may have been blocked during the chaos. Emergency responders also encountered significant obstacles while searching the building. According to Suriyachai Rawiwan, head of Bangkok's disaster prevention department, rescue crews arrived within five minutes of receiving the emergency call, but the fire had already engulfed much of the structure. "When we went in to search, we found tables and seating blocking the way everywhere and the heat was intense," he said.
