A fire erupted at a hotel near Bangkok’s Khao San Road, a well-known tourist hub, resulting in the deaths of three foreign nationals and multiple injuries, according to Thai police on Monday.
Police Colonel Sanong Saengmanee, according to The Associated Press, said that the victims, all foreign tourists, perished in the blaze that occurred on Sunday night. One victim was found deceased at the scene, while the other two succumbed to their injuries after being transported to the hospital.
The incident took place on the fifth floor of the six-story Ember Hotel. Khao San Road is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and is a popular destination for backpackers visiting the Thai capital.
The fire was eventually controlled, and authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blaze.
At the time of the fire, the hotel was accommodating seventy-five guests. Among the injured were seven individuals, including two Thai nationals and five foreigners.
Sreekanth Kolamala, a 37-year-old Indian resident of Singapore who was vacationing in Thailand, witnessed the rescue efforts. He recounted that firefighters broke the glass to try to pull people out.
On Monday, Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, surveyed the damage outside The Ember Hotel. He noted that 20,000 people were anticipated to attend a New Year’s Eve countdown event on Tuesday night.
“Now everybody’s scared about what happened and they’re scared it will affect the event tomorrow. But definitely there’s no worry because we already had a meeting with the police station and we have over 150 police and district staff to cover on Khao San Road for security,” he stated.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt also underscored the need for heightened safety measures in light of the incident, particularly with the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations, which include fireworks and other festivities planned throughout the city.
Frances Ibiefo
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