A fire at a popular live music venue in Bangkok killed at least 27 people and left 63 others injured, including 22 in critical condition, in one of the deadliest such incidents Thailand has seen in nearly two decades. The blaze broke out at around 11:00 pm on Sunday at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar and restaurant in Chatuchak, a suburb in Bangkok's north best known for its sprawling weekend markets. Verified video footage showed patrons — several with their clothing on fire — fleeing into the street as flames surged out of the entrance.
Survivors and officials described a scene of rapid, deadly chaos. Musicians at the venue told Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the site in the early hours of Monday, that they saw smoke rising from a circuit breaker near the stage, followed by the power cutting out and an explosion. Thick smoke filled the venue almost immediately, driving many patrons toward the back of the building, where the kitchen and bathrooms are located — areas with no viable exit. Several victims were found near a fire exit that authorities believe may have been blocked.