3 foreigners killed in fire at Khao San Road hotel in Bangkok
A fire broke out at a hotel on Thani Road near the Khao San Road neighbourhood of Bangkok last night, December 29, resulting in three fatalities and seven injuries.
The fire started on the fifth floor of the six-storey Ember Hotel, at around 9.20pm. ThaiRath reported today, December 30, that the blaze originated in room 511, which was completely burned down in the incident.
Officers from the Forensic Science Office, along with officials from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, were dispatched to the scene. The fire was brought under control by around 10.30pm. However, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Standard reported that a total of 75 guests were staying at the hotel at the time of the incident, with 39 of them on the fifth floor where the fire broke out.
Seven individuals sustained injuries during the incident, including:
- A Japanese man suffering from smoke inhalation, who is currently receiving treatment at Rama 9 Hospital.
- A foreign woman who lost consciousness and is being treated in the cardiac care unit (CCU) of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General Hospital (Klang Hospital).
- A Thai man suffered smoke inhalation but declined hospitalisation.
- A Thai man suffered smoke inhalation and received treatment at Hua Chiew Hospital.
- A 34 year old German man with burns on his hand, is receiving treatment at Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital.
- A 32 year old German woman suffered back pain and smoke inhalation after jumping from the hotel building to escape the fire. She receives treatment at Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital.
- A Chinese man who lost consciousness and is being treated at Hua Chiew Hospital.
Cause investigated
Tragically, three hotel guests lost their lives in the incident. A woman lost her life to the flames, and two men lost consciousness at the scene and later died in hospital. Rescuers used boom lifts to rescue other guests trapped in the hotel during the fire.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the scene and assured the public that the fire did not spread extensively, as firefighters arrived quickly. However, he noted that controlling the situation was challenging due to the large amount of smoke.
The governor announced that the hotel would be temporarily closed for investigation and safety inspections. He added that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is working to implement safety measures to restore confidence among tourists, particularly foreigners, visiting Bangkok during the new year.
