At least 27 dead in Bangkok bar fire as patrons rushed toward exit-free wall

A late-night fire at a bar in the Thai capital killed at least 27 people and injured 63 others.

The blaze broke out at 11:57 p.m. Sunday at a bar in the Chatuchak area of northern Bangkok, according to Reuters, the Associated Press and other news agencies.

Twenty-seven patrons and others died in the fire, and 63 were taken to hospital. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said 22 of the injured were in critical condition.

Videos circulating online showed massive flames and thick black smoke pouring from the bar's front entrance as some patrons attempted to escape.

A firefighter told Reuters that when crews arrived, many patrons were trapped inside and several had tried to flee toward the back of the venue. "The flames were not that intense, but smoke had engulfed the entire place," the firefighter said.

A Laotian tourist told AFP that loud screams could be heard from inside the bar. "It was complete chaos," the tourist said.

The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes of the first emergency call, but the death toll was high because large numbers of patrons crowded toward a section of the building with no emergency exits.

Survivors said that as smoke filled the venue, many patrons retreated to the rear of the building near the restrooms — an area with no emergency exit.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene after the fire and told reporters that several victims were found near the restrooms at the back of the bar.

He added that a musician performing at the bar that night said the power went out and smoke was seen coming from a circuit breaker near the stage, followed by an explosion before thick smoke rapidly filled the venue.

Governor Chadchart said the bar did have emergency exits, but the rapid spread of flames and a sudden buildup of smoke may have made it difficult for patrons to evacuate.

He added that identifying victims had been difficult because many were not carrying identification or were unconscious. Whether any South Korean nationals were among the victims has not yet been confirmed, as the identities of many victims remain unknown.

A promotional post for the bar's live performances listed its capacity at more than 300 people and said it had four emergency exits. Local authorities are focusing their investigation on the evacuation routes inside the bar, leaving open the possibility that the exits were blocked at the time of the fire.

EFE and AFP reported that the evacuation routes appeared to have been blocked by tables and various decorations.