The fire broke out at the Na Ladprao restaurant in northern Bangkok, Thailand, at 0:02 on 13/7, with many people inside. The Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation stated that firefighters extinguished the blaze in about half an hour.
Released video footage showed intense flames and smoke billowing from the front entrance of the Na Ladprao restaurant as people attempted to escape. Subsequent images from the scene depicted the restaurant's interior severely damaged, with tables and chairs charred black.
Fire at Na Ladprao restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand, on the morning of 13/7. Video: Thai Inquirer
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that 27 people died in the incident. Many victims were found in restrooms at the rear of the restaurant, and several injured individuals were hospitalized. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipun added that 63 people were taken to hospitals, with 22 in critical condition. Authorities are working to identify the victims, as many did not carry identification or were unconscious.
A musician performing at the restaurant recounted seeing smoke rising from a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out. An explosion followed, and thick smoke rapidly enveloped the entire venue.
Singer Sukanya Wongwongwai, who was performing nearby, rushed to the scene upon hearing about the fire, as some members of her band were performing at the restaurant. According to Wongwongwai, one person died, three were hospitalized, and one remains missing.
"From what I heard from those inside, everything went dark when the fire erupted. There was a power outage and smoke everywhere, so they couldn't find others", she recounted.
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Inside the Na Ladprao restaurant after the fire on 13/7. Photo: Bangkok Post
Thailand has previously experienced similar tragedies, including a pub fire in the country's east that resulted in 14 deaths in 2022.
On 1/1/2009, a New Year's Eve celebration at a Bangkok nightclub resulted in 66 fatalities and over 200 injuries. The fire was believed to have originated from an indoor fireworks display.
Pham Giang (According to AP, Nation Thailand, Bangkok Post)
