A devastating fire tore through a pub in Bangkok early Monday, killing at least 27 people and injuring several others, officials confirmed. The blaze at the Na Ladprao pub, located in the northern part of the Thai capital, was reported around midnight and took firefighters approximately 30 minutes to bring under control.
First responder footage showed intense flames erupting from the front of the establishment, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky as people were seen attempting to escape the inferno. Many of the victims were discovered in the pub's restrooms and at the rear of the building.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, stated that 27 fatalities had been confirmed. He added that a musician performing at the pub reported seeing smoke emanating from a circuit breaker near the stage just before the power cut out, followed by an explosion and the rapid spread of smoke.
Photos from the aftermath revealed the interior of the pub heavily damaged, with charred furniture and debris scattered throughout. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
This incident evokes memories of past fire tragedies in Thailand. In 2022, a fire at a music pub in the country's eastern region resulted in 14 deaths. More than a decade prior, on New Year's Eve 2009, a catastrophic fire at the Santika nightclub in Bangkok claimed the lives of 66 people and left over 200 injured, reportedly sparked by an indoor fireworks display.