BANGKOK: A nighttime fire at a hotel in the bustling Khao San Road area has resulted in the deaths of three individuals, while more than 40 others, including both Thai nationals and foreign tourists, were temporarily trapped on the hotel rooftop. Officials swiftly responded to the emergency, deploying three gondolas to rescue those caught in the blaze. Initial reports indicate that four individuals were found unconscious and rushed to the hospital, while one person received first aid for smoke inhalation.
According to Thai News Agency, the fire occurred at 9:57 p.m. inside a six-story hotel located on Tani Road in the Talat Yot Subdistrict of Phra Nakhon District. When the fire broke out, 39 out of 75 employees and guests were present in the building. Mr. Chachart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, inspected the scene and reported that the fire originated from the fifth floor. Firefighters responded promptly and successfully extinguished the flames, finding a deceased female in a room on the fifth floor. Two additional victims succumbed to injuries at the hospital, while one individual remains under treatment for smoke inhalation.
The quick response from firefighters prevented the fire from spreading extensively, although dense smoke posed a significant challenge. As a result, authorities have ordered the hotel to close temporarily to ensure building safety and reassure tourists, especially with the New Year festival approaching. Officials are optimistic that this incident will not impact the area's tourism image.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, revealed that preliminary investigations suggest the fire began in Room 511 on the fifth floor. Affected tourists are being asked to provide statements at Chana Songkhram Police Station to help reconstruct the sequence of events. The cause of the fire remains under investigation pending forensic analysis, which will be crucial for any potential legal proceedings.