At least 27 people have been killed in a huge fire which ravaged through a Bangkok bar, Thailand’s prime minister has said.
Firefighters were called to the scene just after midnight and discovered patrons fleeing through the flame-enveloped front door of the venue.
Unverified footage shows flames blasting out of the bar as one woman falls to the floor before getting to her feet to get away.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told journalists at the scene that 27 people died and several have been taken to the hospital. He stressed the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
Charnivirakul told reporters he asked a musician who was performing when the fire started what happened.
“He said that there was a fire at the cut-out switch, and after that things happened very quickly. There was blasting and everybody tried to flee from the smoke and flames.
“Many of them were not able to make their way out because they went to the back of the building and tried to hide themselves from the smoke and flames in the toilet, and that’s where we found most of the bodies.”
The bar – named locally as Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao – is located in the Chatuchak District and is a famous entertainment venue and restaurant in the area, Thai outlet the Daily News reported, external.
Firefighters were able to bring the flames under control in half an hour.
Pictures taken inside the bar after the fire was put out show it completely charred and blackened, with the ceiling peeling off.
A number of people are still missing after the disaster, Thai outlet Thairath reported, external.
Personnel from Sutthisan Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene at 00:02AM local time.
Unverified reports said a driver who passing the venue saw the fire break out at 23.30 local time (17:30 BST).
He told Daily News he leapt out of his car and broke windows to help two people escape.
This is a breaking story. More updates will follow.
