Bangkok Music Bar Fire Kills Dozens; Investigation Underway
6 verified4 unconfirmed2 contested
A fire at a music bar in Bangkok late Sunday killed at least 27 people and injured many others, according to multiple reports. Most of the victims were found in windowless bathrooms near a rear exit, where they may have sought refuge from the flames. A musician who was performing at the bar told officials he saw smoke coming from a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out, followed by an explosion. Investigators are examining whether flammable ceiling materials and blocked emergency exits contributed to the high death toll. The bar had four exits, but two rear exits were reportedly obstructed by a table and a damaged door. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes, and forensic officers are searching for the cause. Authorities confirmed that most deaths were caused by smoke inhalation. The blaze is the deadliest in Bangkok since a 2009 nightclub fire that killed 67 people.
What’s verified
A fire broke out at a Bangkok music bar late Sunday, killing at least 27 people.
Most of the victims were found trapped in windowless bathrooms near a rear exit.
A musician performing at the bar reported seeing smoke from a circuit breaker before an explosion.
Investigators are examining flammable ceiling materials and possible blocked emergency exits.
Police chief Kittharath Punpetch said one rear exit was blocked by a table, and another had a damaged exit sign and missing handle.
The fire was the city’s deadliest since a 2009 nightclub fire that killed 67 people.
Where accounts differ
The death toll is reported differently: one source cites at least 27 dead (with the city government reporting 28), while another source reports at least 30 dead.
The number of injured varies: one source says 73 people were hurt; another says “dozens more” were injured without a specific figure.
Not yet confirmed
The exact number of people inside the bar at the time of the fire is not confirmed; the bar’s capacity was listed as up to 600.
Only one source reports that 25 people were hospitalized in critical condition.
It is unclear whether any exit doors were locked, as one source noted “signs” but not definitive proof.
The condition of the bar owner, said in one report to be in an intensive care unit, is not verified by other sources.
Key figures
Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
National Police Chief Kittharath Punpetch
Sources: abcnews.com, NBC News
