The fire occurred at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar and restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand, AFP reported.
The fire spread very quickly, rising to the ceiling. Smoke may be the main cause of death" - Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt shared with reporters outside the scene of the fire in the suburbs of the Thai capital.
He said that 27 people were killed and 63 people were hospitalized with injuries, including 22 people in critical condition. The Governor of Bangkok also added that the authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Some victims were found near the escape route and authorities believe there may have been obstacles blocking the escape route, he said.
I heard loud shouts from many people inside - chaos had occurred" - Lao tourist Kan Kutirat told AFP. This tourist shared a video on Facebook, verified by AFP, showing customers - some people in flammable shirts - running out into the street when the fire broke out from the door.
Kan said he was drinking alcohol alone at a bar at about 10 pm on July 12 when he saw smoke rising near the stage. He said he helped bring a woman out of the bar.
According to AFP reporters present at the scene on the morning of July 13, inside the bar were rows of hard benches and beer bottles still on tables covered in white dust. The smell of burning plastic still lingered in the space for hours after the fire broke out. Most of the bar's windows were broken. A small crowd gathered behind the metal fence and police tapes, some of whom were still wearing pajamas.
At about 2 am on July 13, the Thai National Police announced on social networks that the fire was "controlled".
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had previously arrived at the scene. He said that the artists performing in the bar described "smoke billowing from the electrical switch near the stage, followed by a power outage and an explosion".
Most of the victims ran to the back, into the toilet but had no way out. It could be due to panic because there was fire and smoke in the restaurant," Mr. Anutin told reporters.
The Thai Prime Minister announced the number of casualties as 27 and local police also confirmed a similar number.
25 people died after a fire broke out at the Mountain B nightclub in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand in 2022. Another major fire occurred at a New Year's Eve party at the Santika club, Bangkok in 2009, killing 67 people and injuring more than 200.
