At least 13 killed in fire at music pub in Thailand

The disaster happned at Mountain B pub in Sattahip district of Chonburi province, about 160 km from Bangkok.

At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured when a fire broke out early Friday, August 5, 2022, morning at a crowded music pub in eastern Thailand, police and rescue workers said.

Video circulating on social media showed people fleeing the pub while thick black smoke billowed from the door and then the entrance through which people were escaping was suddenly engulfed in flames. Several people's clothing was on fire as they emerged from the pub. Rescue workers said more than three dozen people were injured.

The cause of the fire at the Mountain B pub in Sattahip district of Chonburi province, about 160 km southeast of Bangkok, is under investigation, provincial police chief Maj Gen Atthasit Kijjahan told PPTV news. He said the pub's owner and staff were giving statements at the police station and the police forensic team would be collecting evidence at the scene. Police said the fire was reported around 12:45 am.

Several witnesses described seeing smoke and fire on the ceiling near the venue's stage followed by the sound of explosions.

“The fire started at the top right corner of the stage,” a witness identified only as Nana told PPTV. “The singer must have seen it too, so he shouted fire' and threw away the microphone.”

“I am quite shocked. But I am lucky that when I saw the fire, I could get myself together and get out of there,” she said, adding that she saw several pub security guards with their clothing on fire.

A waitress at the venue, Thanyapat Sornsuwanhiran, also told Thai television reporters that she saw smoke near the stage.