POLICE said initial assessment of the cause of the big blaze at a beer hall close to midnight last night (July 12) that killed 27 people and injured 63 others could be negligence with evidence still being gathered to pinpoint what sparked the deadly fire, MNG Online and Naewna newspaper said today.
Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabutr, deputy national police chief, said he has ordered relevant police officers and the Forensic Science Division to investigate the scene, gather evidence, and determine the true cause of the fierce blaze.
Authorities are questioning those involved and thoroughly investigating the facts to identify those responsible and proceed with legal action.
Meanwhile, Pol. Maj. Gen. Watee Aswutamangkul, commander of the Forensic Science Division, said after inspecting the scene that initially it appears the fire started behind the stage, but a more detailed investigation, involving forensic chemists, will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the fire.
The single-storey beer hall with a metal roof, located in Soi Ladprao 1, Ladprao road, Chatuchak district, operated as a restaurant-cum-entertainment venue was completely destroyed.
Of the 27 fatalities, nine were men and 18 women while there were 21 men, 26 women and 16 of unknown gender who had got injured and all transported to various hospitals in the area.
CAPTIONS:
The gutted beer hall. Photos – top, first inserted – Naewna, Front Page, second inserted – MNG Online
Earlier report:
Bangkok pub fire kills at least 27 people, officials say
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