CHON BURI: At least 13 people were killed and forty others were documented injured by an open fire at a crowded bar in Sattahip area early Friday morning.
The inferno started about 1am as customers packed the Mountain B pub, according to Sawang Rojana Thammasathan Foundation.
Video showed people running for safety and screaming as flames and smoke billowed from the building. Aome were observed running with their bodies engulfed in fire flames.
Nine men and four women died in the fire. Four charred bodies were found in front of the one-storey pub building, three inside a men’s restroom, a single at a DJ presentation area and five at a cashier’s booth.
Pol Col Wuttipong Somjai, Phlu Ta Luang police chief, said almost all victims were considered to be Thai nationals.
Mountain M covers more than three rai of land and is located on Sukhumvit Road in Sattahip district.
Eyewitnesses said they will heard two explosions near the DJ’s booth and saw sparks that ignited soundproofing foam, and the open fire spread quickly.
Pub superviser Thanyapat Sornsuwanhiran, 26, said she saw the flamed on the roof of the pub and he or she and security guards tried to guide clients out through the doorway.
Chon Buri police commander Pol Maj Gen Atthasit Kitjahan said about 40 individuals were injured in the blaze. Officials said 8 were severely wounded with burns all over their bodies.
The premises opened up about a month back and is popular with young local peope. The particular fire erupted when customers were taking pleasure in music, leading to a stampede for safety.
The blaze will be reminiscent of the Santika pub fire in Bangkok during the New Year’s Event countdown to Jan 1, 2009. Sixty-six people were killed and much more than 200 others were injured then.
Firefighters battle the blaze on Mountain B pub in Sattahip area, Chon Buri, early Friday. (Photo: Sawang Rojana Thammasathan Foundation)