Midnight inferno at crowded Bangkok restaurant leaves 27 dead, 63 injured; smoke inhalation suspected behind most deaths

At least 27 people were killed and 63 others injured after a fire tore through a crowded restaurant in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district shortly after midnight on Monday, with officials saying most victims died from smoke inhalation.

The blaze broke out at the Na Ladprao eatery near Soi Lat Phrao 1 Road at around 12.02 am, when the venue was packed with customers. Firefighters brought the fire under control in about 30 minutes, according to Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

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Smoke inhalation blamed for majority of deaths

The deceased included nine men and 18 women. Of the 63 injured, 22 were reported to be in serious condition.

Senior officials, including Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and DDPM Director-General Teerapat Kachamat, reached the site to oversee rescue and relief operations.

According to the Bangkok Post, Anutin, who also serves as the interior minister, said most of the victims died after inhaling smoke.

He said musicians performing at the venue told authorities that the fire appeared to have started at a circuit breaker on the stage. The incident reportedly caused a power outage followed by an explosion.

Decorative materials fuelled rapidly spreading fire

Governor Chadchart said the flames spread quickly after reaching decorative materials attached to the ceiling.

According to the Bangkok Post, he said toxic smoke produced by the burning decorations proved fatal for many people trapped inside.

The governor also said the establishment held a valid licence for live music performances and had passed a routine inspection conducted in April.

Panic during evacuation hampered rescue efforts

Suriyachai Rawiwan, Bangkok’s disaster prevention and mitigation director, said the restaurant had emergency exits at the rear.

However, he said many people appeared to have rushed towards the toilets at the back of the premises in panic instead of using the exits, complicating rescue operations.

Authorities have begun the formal process of identifying those who died in the fire.