Orathai SriringJuly 14, 2026 — 7:28pmWarning: Graphic contentBangkok: At first, only thick smoke billowed out of the front entrance of the bar in northern Bangkok. It was around midnight.Within seconds, an intense horizontal plume of fire gushed out of the doorway leading to the street, according to a video posted on social media.Flowers had been installed across the ceiling to create a green canopy, especially around the stage and bar areas.Bangkok Metropolitan Administration via APScreams and shrieks filled the air.Outside for a cigarette, Usa Tadsree at first noticed the lights flicker inside and then spotted the smoke.“I wanted to go back in to get my friends but there was intense heat coming out, so I had to run out,” said Usa, 41.At least 30 people have died as a result of the fire and 75 are injured, 24 of them critically. The toll has once again put a spotlight on fire safety regulations and lax enforcement in Thailand’s hospitality industry.The fire erupted at 11.57pm (1.57am Monday AEST) on Sunday, probably sparked by an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner, authorities said.Although firefighters arrived within minutes, a combination of factors proved deadly for many of the people trapped inside the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub.Highly combustible materials used to decorate the stage and likely for better acoustics instantly ignited to produce extreme heat, smoke and deadly toxins, choking many of those trapped inside, according to two experts who have studied the blaze.Upholstered chairs were completely consumed by the fire.Bangkok Metropolitan Administration via APHighly combustible materials used to decorate the stage and likely for better acoustics instantly ignited to produce extreme heat, smoke and deadly toxins, experts say.Bangkok Metropolitan Administration via APThai police are investigating if emergency exits were obstructed and prevented victims from escaping the burning pub, which underwent a safety inspection in April.The pub, located at a busy intersection next to train stations and two shopping malls, is one of a cluster of similar bars often crowded on weekend nights, serving food, drinks as well as offering live music and televised sports.The pub did not answer calls or immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday and its owner is among those being treated in hospital.“The severity of this fire was driven by a massive fuel load,” said Busakorn Saensookh, chair of the Fire Protection Engineering Committee at the Engineering Institute of Thailand, who inspected the site following Sunday’s deadly inferno.In particular, she pointed to highly flammable acoustic material and decorations, including artificial trees and flowers that had been installed across the ceiling to create a green canopy, especially around the stage and bar areas.Grass-like material, black foam used in interiorsVideo of the venue before the fire shows a green grass-like material covering the ceiling above the stage, as well as what appears to be black acoustic foam panels over areas packed with seating for patrons.“The fire involved plastic materials, and these were relatively dense plastics. Once ignited, they produced a jet of fire as enormous amounts of heat accumulated,” Busakorn said.Relatives hold portraits of husband Suvitcha Sirisalung and wife Namthip Tubsuk, who died in the blaze.