A night out in Bangkok turned into a nightmare after a massive fire ripped through a packed bar.
At least 27 people were killed, and eight others were left fighting for their lives.
How does a lively evening end in such devastation?
The blaze erupted near the stage of Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao in the city’s Chatuchak district before racing through the venue.
It knocked out power and filled the building with thick smoke.
Videos captured terrified patrons running through flames, some with their clothes on fire, as panic spread.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control within 30 minutes, but for many it was already too late.
Most victims were discovered inside a bathroom, where they had reportedly sought refuge from the smoke.
Officials suspect an electrical fault in an air-conditioning unit may have sparked the fire, though investigators are still working to confirm the exact cause.
Blaze Triggers Investigation
Bangkok Governor Chatchart Sittipunt said flammable ceiling decorations may have accelerated the flames.
Possible obstructions near an emergency exit are also under investigation.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, after visiting the scene, quoted a musician who witnessed the horror.
“There was blasting and everybody tried to flee from the smoke and flames.”
The tragedy has once again raised uncomfortable questions about fire safety enforcement in Thailand.
Sadly, when lessons from past disasters go unheeded, history has a painful way of repeating itself.
