The inferno left at least 28 people dead, including two members of the cover band on Sunday night's bill.At least two other bandmates were injured, among around 70 people who suffered from burns, smoke inhalation and other injuries, authorities said.Two members of the group Tosakan recounted on Monday the chaos of the blaze that raged through the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar and restaurant, claiming the lives of their keyboardist, Kwang, and a singer, Breeze."The sight of my girlfriend's body being carried out, the sight of my friend who was burned in the fire and everything that happened are still etched in my mind," said singer and band leader Athipat "Ice" Wijarn.Some members of his 11-person group, which plays Thai and international cover songs, were on stage when the fire broke out around 11:00 pm (1600 GMT) Sunday, Athipat said in a talk show interview.
Athipat "Ice" Wijarn lost two bandmates in the fire that tore through the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar and restaurant © Chanakarn LAOSARAKHAM / AFP
He sustained a head injury and his drummer was in critical condition."Our keyboard player spotted the smoke first and shouted at me to run," Athipat later recalled, speaking to reporters."When I realised there was a fire, I could smell smoke... I shouted for my girlfriend (Breeze), but then the power went out," he added.The pitch-black venue was also clouded in thick smoke, and the singer could not find Breeze, despite shouting her name, he said."Just as I got outside, the explosion suddenly erupted," Athipat said, showing his injuries.'I just ran'He tried to revive Breeze by giving her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when her body was brought outside, but it was too late."I felt terrible," he said, full of regret that he did not tell patrons to evacuate at the first sign of fire.
