CHON BURI, Aug 5 (TNA) – Thirteen people were killed and almost 40 others injured when a pub was engulfed in flames after two explosions in Sattahip district of Chon Buri early this morning.
The incident happened at the Mountain B pub on Sukhumvit Road in Moo 7 village of Phlu Ta Luang sub-district at about 1am. More than 20 fire engines were deployed at the scene.
Dozens of customers rushed out of the one-floor pub building. Some of them were completely burnt. Nearly 40 people were injured and mostly sent to Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital.
It took firefighters more than two hours to control the blaze due to the inflammable materials of the building, especially its sound-absorbing foam.
Officials found more than 10 dead bodies at the entrance of the building and in its toilets. Some dead victims were beside a DJ’s booth. All bodies were charred.
A video clip by an eyewitness showed customers tried to run out of the single front entrance of the pub. Someone shouted for help while being covered with flames. Eyewitnesses including the DJ of the pub said there were two explosions at the DJ’s booth before the fire. The explosions sent sparks that lit inflammable soundproofing foam which then spread the blaze all over the building rapidly.
The 26-year-old pub supervisor identified only as Thanyaphat told Chon Buri police commander Pol Maj Gen Atthasit Kijjaharn that she saw the blaze starting on the roof of the pub and then quickly expanding to the whole building. Pub security guards led customers out of the front door but the fire spread very fast and caused many casualties.
At 5am officials said 13 people were killed and 36 injured. Twenty-seven victims, 15 men and 12 women, were admitted to Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital and nine others were at Sattahip KM.10 Hospital comprising seven men and two women.
Mountain B pub was opened about a month ago and was attractive to young people in Sattahip. The fire broke out while customers were dancing with music. It was the first deadly incident of Sattahip. (TNA)
