At least 27 people lost their lives early Monday when a pub in Bangkok was consumed by flames, with firefighters eventually gaining control of the blaze, according to The Associated Press.
At the scene, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed to reporters a death toll of 27 and said a number of people had been hospitalized. The fire's origin had not yet been determined, he added, according to The Associated Press.
The fire was reported around midnight at the pub in the northern part of the Thai capital. Footage posted by emergency personnel depicted flames pouring from the pub's entrance while crowds scrambled to escape, and a column of dense black smoke climbed overhead. Firefighters brought the fire under control in roughly half an hour, according to officials.
Images from the scene after the fire was extinguished showed charred tables and chairs and a heavily damaged interior.
Thailand has seen similar tragedies at entertainment venues in recent years. In 2022, a fire at a music pub in eastern Thailand killed 14 people, according to The Associated Press. Located in Chonburi province's Sattahip district about 160 kilometers from Bangkok, the Mountain B pub had flammable soundproofing material on its walls, and crews required two hours before the fire was fully extinguished.
Going back further, a New Year's Eve blaze at Bangkok's Santika nightclub on Jan. 1, 2009, claimed 66 lives and left more than 200 others injured, according to The Associated Press. Investigators determined the fire was likely ignited by fireworks set off inside the venue.
