A devastating fire swept through a music bar in Bangkok late Sunday night, leaving at least 27 people dead and dozens injured in the Thai capital's deadliest fire in 17 years.
The blaze broke out shortly before midnight at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar in northern Bangkok. Authorities said firefighters managed to bring the fire under control about 30 minutes later, but not before it claimed dozens of lives.
Images from the scene showed flames engulfing the single-storey building as thick black smoke rose into the sky. Shoes and other personal belongings were left scattered outside as patrons rushed to escape.
By Monday morning, police had sealed off the area while forensic teams searched the charred structure to determine the cause of the fire.
The building's front windows had been shattered by the blaze, with burned furniture, damaged sound equipment, television sets and musical instruments visible inside. Tables still holding empty beer bottles remained amid the destruction.
National Police Chief Kittharath Punpetch said many of the victims were found inside windowless bathrooms near a rear exit, where they may have sought refuge from the flames and smoke.
He said investigators believe the rear exit may have been difficult to access because of obstacles, including a candy sales table placed in the hallway, while darkness caused by the power outage may also have prevented people from finding the escape route.
Another exit near the kitchen may have been partially blocked by shelves and lockers, he added, noting that there were indications some exit doors could have been locked.
Investigators are examining the area above the performance stage, where decorative materials were installed, to determine whether flammable materials or faulty electrical wiring contributed to the fire.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said a musician performing at the venue told him smoke was seen coming from an electrical circuit breaker near the stage before the power failed. An explosion followed, and thick smoke rapidly spread throughout the building.
According to Bangkok's Erawan Emergency Medical Centre, 73 people were injured, including 25 who remain in critical condition.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said most of the fatalities were caused by smoke inhalation. Authorities are working to identify several victims, many of whom were not carrying identification documents.
Buddhist monks visited the site on Monday to offer prayers for the victims, while health workers distributed face masks to people in the area because of lingering smoke and fumes.
Officials also established a registration centre for relatives searching for missing family members.
Singer Sukanya Wongwongwai said she rushed to the scene after learning about the fire because several members of her band had been performing at the venue. She said one band member was killed, three were hospitalised and another remained missing.
She said survivors told her the venue was plunged into darkness when the fire started, making it nearly impossible to locate exits or other people as thick smoke filled the building.
Thailand has witnessed several deadly nightclub and entertainment venue fires in recent decades. In 2022, a blaze at a music venue in eastern Thailand killed 14 people. Earlier, a fire during New Year's Eve celebrations at Bangkok's Santika nightclub in 2009 claimed 66 lives and injured more than 200 others.