Near midnight on 12/7, as the band Totsakan performed on stage at Na Ladprao pub in Bangkok, lead singer Tik Chaiyana excused himself to use the restroom at the back. It was the first time in his career he had taken a break mid-performance.

While Tik was in the restroom, a fire erupted near the stage, seemingly due to an electrical short circuit. The flames quickly escalated, spreading rapidly along flammable decorations on the ceiling and engulfing the entire room.

Suppressing tears, Tik recounted that everyone panicked, scrambling for an escape when the fire broke out. A fire exit near the restroom allowed him to follow this path to safety through thick black smoke.

Tik later learned that the band's female singer, Breeze, died in the blaze. Rescue workers brought Breeze out and attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but could not save her. The band's drummer, Bew, was severely injured, while keyboardist Din remains missing.

Nu ca si Breeze cua ban nhac bieu dien tai quan pub o Bangkok vao thoi diem xay ra hoa hoan dem 12/7, rang sang 13/7. Anh: Thai PBS

Another survivor named Usa stated that she and four close friends visited Na Ladprao pub for a relaxing weekend night. A moment later, she and two friends went to the front of the pub for fresh air and a cigarette, while the other two remained inside.

Initially, Usa heard many people shouting about a fire inside but did not believe it. Only when she turned around did she see the flames spreading quickly across the room.

According to Usa, customers inside simultaneously rushed towards the exits as thick black smoke quickly enveloped the venue, trapping many deep inside. She and those outside used metal chairs and other objects to smash the front glass windows to ventilate the area and help those suffering from smoke inhalation escape.

She watched rescue workers bring victims out before she was shocked to realize one of them was her friend.

Usa pleaded with rescue personnel to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but was informed it was too late. The bodies of her two friends showed no signs of burns, leading her to believe they died from inhaling smoke and toxic gases.

Just minutes before the fire, the group had taken a photo together. It became their last picture together.

Usa, mot trong nhung nguoi song sot sau vu hoa hoan quan pub, tra loi bao chi ngay 13/7. Anh: Thai PBS

Another female witness said she went to the pub with her sister. Her sister went to the restroom, while she remained at their table. Soon after, someone shouted that there was a fire, causing her to immediately run outside.

Thick smoke quickly covered the area, making it difficult to breathe. While running, she also heard a loud explosion. This witness estimated that there were nearly 100 people inside the pub at the time, as customers had started to arrive in large numbers.

When the fire occurred, her sister was still in the restroom and has not yet been found. Authorities have only located her sister's handbag and mobile phone.

A survivor named Penparsa recounted that she was eating in a crowded area of the pub when the fire suddenly broke out near the front of the stage, quickly forming a huge cloud of black smoke.

The smoke caused panic. Many people ran in disarray, unsure of where the exits were. While searching for an escape route, Penparsa fell to the floor and was repeatedly trampled by others as they jostled to flee the blaze.

Her younger brother, who was with her, grabbed her shirt and pulled her up, helping them both escape safely.

Another survivor said that just seconds before the fire erupted, she saw smoke rising from the roof. She asserted there was no fire alarm before the flames spread throughout the pub.

Meanwhile, relatives of the deceased victims continued to arrive at the Forensic Institute to complete procedures for receiving their loved ones' bodies.

Thi the cac nan nhan duoc dat ben duoi cau vuot duong bo o Bangkok ngay 13/7. Anh: AP

According to rescue workers, initial assessments indicate the fire may have originated from an electrical short circuit, possibly related to the air conditioning system or the pub's audio equipment. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that the flames spread exceptionally fast, particularly in the ceiling area and the interior decorative materials above. These materials were highly flammable and produced a large amount of toxic smoke.

The fire completely destroyed the interior space, covering an area of approximately 164 m2, making it one of the most severe fires at a nightlife establishment in Bangkok in many years.

"Police are focusing their investigation on the premise that the incident stemmed from negligent behavior," said Thai National Police Commander Kittiratt Phanphet.

Huyen Le (According to Thai PBS, Khaosod)