Hotel Fire Near Khao San Road Leaves 3 Dead, Many Rescued From Roof

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A  fire at The Ember Hotel on Tani Road, near Bangkok’s popular Khao San Road, has claimed three lives and left several others injured. The incident has prompted Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to order the temporary closure of the hotel to ensure the building meets safety standards.

The fire, which occurred on the evening of December 29, broke out on the fifth floor of the six-story hotel. Initial reports confirmed one fatality, but the death toll later rose to three as two victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

 

Emergency crews were alerted to the fire at around 21:20 with firefighters and rescue teams rushing to the scene. Over 40 guests, including many foreign tourists, were trapped on the rooftop as thick smoke engulfed the fifth floor. Using three turntables ladder trucks with rescue cages , firefighters evacuated the stranded individuals to safety. 
 

 

One victim, a woman reported to be a foreign tourist, was found dead and her burnt body was located in Room 502 on the fifth floor, while two others who had been rescued internally by firefighters in breathing apparatus, later died in hospital due to severe smoke inhalation. One individual remains hospitalised in ICU, while all others injured, were discharged after treatment. One of the victims that died in hospital was also a foreign tourist, but no details on nationalities have yet been disclosed.

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart, who visited the site along with Thirarat Samretwanich, Assistant to the Deputy Minister of Interior, confirmed that the blaze was swiftly contained, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building. “The fire itself was not that severe, but the significant amount of smoke caused substantial harm,” he stated.

 

The Governor ordered the hotel’s closure to allow for a thorough safety inspection, emphasising the importance of ensuring tourists’ confidence in the safety of Bangkok’s buildings. With New Year’s Eve festivities approaching, he expressed hope that the tragedy would not affect the city’s tourism.

 

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom reported that guests affected by the fire had been asked to provide statements at Chana Songkhram Police Station. Investigators are working to determine the fire’s cause and establish accountability, with forensic analysis and investigation underway.

 

-- 2024-12-30

 

 

[webfact]

 

[Hawaiian]

52 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

I was surprised at the equipment used to rescue hotel guests.  A good example that Thailand is NOT a third world country as claimed by some on this forum.

[Georgealbert]

4 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

I was surprised at the equipment used to rescue hotel guests.  One more example that Thailand is NOT a third world country as claimed by some on this forum.

Those turntable ladders with the fitted rescue cages are very suitable for the narrow access ways encountered in many parts of Bangkok.
 

The Bangkok Fire and Rescue Service also have ALPs (aerial ladder platforms) mostly Bronto Skylift, which have a higher reach and are more manoeuverable during rescues, but are limited due to the width required to extend the stabilising legs before they can be operated.

[prakhonchai nick]

Not a word in the 2 English language newspapers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gargamon]

19 minutes ago, prakhonchai nick said:

Not a word in the 2 English language newspapers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Newspapers take a day. It will be there tomorrow.

[prakhonchai nick]

46 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Newspapers take a day. It will be there tomorrow.

7.54am  BP report it!   Still waiting for the Nation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[roo860]

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Khaosan Road Hotel Fire: 3 Tourists Dead, 7 Injured

 

Picture from responders.

 

A fire broke out at a hotel on Tani Road in Bangkok’s Khaosan Road area late on 29 December, claiming the lives of three people and injuring seven others. The incident, which occurred at approximately 21:20, prompted a swift response from firefighters who managed to contain the blaze before it spread further.

 

Authorities identified the fire’s origin on the fifth floor, where a foreign female tourist was found dead in her room. Two additional victims succumbed to their injuries at local hospitals. Officials revealed that 39 staff and guests were present at the time of the fire, out of a total 75 registered guests.

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt inspected the site and confirmed that the fire was contained rapidly. However, dense smoke posed significant challenges for the rescue operation. Governor Chadchart has ordered the hotel to suspend operations temporarily to allow for a thorough safety inspection and has cordoned off the area to prevent theft or unauthorised access..

 

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom stated that survivors have been invited to provide statements at Chana Songkhram Police Station. Identification procedures for the victims are ongoing, and the remaining guests have been relocated to alternative accommodations arranged by the hotel.

 

Casualty Report

 

The Rama 199 Radio Centre provided a summary of the casualties:

 

Injured;

 

1. Male, Japanese national, suffered smoke inhalation, treated at Rama 9 Hospital.

2. Female, unidentified foreigner, unconscious, admitted to Central Hospital’s CCU.

3. Male, Thai national, minor smoke inhalation, declined hospital treatment.

4. Male, Thai national (34 years old), smoke inhalation, treated at Hua Chiew Hospital.

5. Male, German national (34 years old), suffered burns to hands, treated at Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital.

6. Female, German national (32 years old), sustained back pain and smoke inhalation after jumping from height, treated at Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital.

7. Male, Chinese national, unconscious, admitted to Hua Chiew Hospital’s ICU.

 

Deceased;

 

1. Female, unidentified foreigner, found dead at the scene.

2. Male, unidentified foreigner, unconscious at the scene, later died at Samitivej Chinatown Hospital.

3. Male, unidentified foreigner, unconscious at the scene, later died at Vajira Hospital.

 

Forensic investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, with results expected to support legal proceedings against those responsible.

 

-- 2024-12-30

 

[Emdog]

No sprinkler system? No fire extinguishers?

Doesn't look like a low rent corner cutting dive

Looks can be deceptive

[ukrules]

Lets hope they've got insurance as we all know who's going to be paying for their treatment.

 

[Georgealbert]

39 minutes ago, Emdog said:

No sprinkler system? No fire extinguishers?

Doesn't look like a low rent corner cutting dive

Looks can be deceptive

Not sure if this building had sprinklers or not. The last version of The Building Safety Control Act, I say in English was dated 1992, so unsure what changes if any have been made since.

 

The guidance then required buildings with more than eight floors to have sprinkler system. I am from the UK and regulations there now require sprinklers if the building is above 11m.

Extinguishers are of little use, unless at the initial stages of a fire, and given the amount of smoke here may been more dangerous for untrained or trained person to attempt to enter heavy smoke logging.

 

The fire does appear to have been contained to the room of origin. Yes I am making a few assumptions based on the pictures and videos I have seen, but the fire room shows extensive damage and the poor victim’s body has heat and fire damage, although I would expect they died of smoke inhalation before the fire damaged the body. Fire and heat damage beyond the room of origin appears limited, but without a visual inspection that is impossible to confirm.

 

My concern is the failing of the passive fire safety measures, that allowed so much smoke to block corridors and stairways, thus making means of escape impossible and so needing to be rescued from the roof.

 

Most fire doors in Thailand are not fitted with a smoke seal, so unless the door is a perfect fit, then smoke will escape.
 

The safety inspection will need to look if any compartment walls had openings or fittings which allowed smoke travel. Were there fire doors onto the staircases and were these wedged/secured open.  
 

Was the room fitted with smoke or heat detectors, which will determine the time for the fire alarm to sound.

[The Alien]

 ‘he expressed hope that the tragedy would not affect the city’s tourism.’

😱

[DGS1244]

Does not look like there were sprinklers as usual, and likely the smoke detectors would be only optical and not installed in the rooms.

[Card]

6 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

I was surprised at the equipment used to rescue hotel guests.  A good example that Thailand is NOT a third world country as claimed by some on this forum.

"With New Year’s Eve festivities approaching, he expressed hope that the tragedy would not affect the city’s tourism."

 

YES IT IS!!!!@@

[NemoH]

Sigh … again the Thai classic - you see sprinkler systems everywhere but you need to ask if the water is turned on for the sprinkler system.. they never learn .. I always wondered how expensive turning on water for sprinklers will cost .. 

remember Centralworld fire …. All water turned off 

[soalbundy]

6 minutes ago, The Alien said:

 ‘he expressed hope that the tragedy would not affect the city’s tourism.’

😱

A lot happening lately, tragedy is ringing in the new year.

[Hawaiian]

20 minutes ago, Card said:

"With New Year’s Eve festivities approaching, he expressed hope that the tragedy would not affect the city’s tourism."

 

YES IT IS!!!!@@

If you say so.

[Polaky]

The Governor ordered the hotel’s closure to allow for a thorough safety inspection,

 

It is a bit late for that ,the gate was open and the horse has bolted.

[nickmondo]

you are supposed to ensure the hotel meets safety standards BEFORE  a disaster, not as a reaction to one............jeez

[newbee2022]

6 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

I was surprised at the equipment used to rescue hotel guests.  A good example that Thailand is NOT a third world country as claimed by some on this forum.

No, not 3rd world but a hub of modern equipment and ingenuity 

[Freddy42OZ]

41 minutes ago, NemoH said:

Sigh … again the Thai classic - you see sprinkler systems everywhere but you need to ask if the water is turned on for the sprinkler system.. they never learn .. I always wondered how expensive turning on water for sprinklers will cost .. 

remember Centralworld fire …. All water turned off 

 

 

The water is turned off because *if* the sprinklers come on the water damage will likely be far higher than the fire damage. 

You turn the sprinklers on only if and when the fire is out of control and further damage won't matter.

[1happykamper]

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Chadchart Sittipunt to order the temporary closure of the hotel to ensure the building meets safety standards.

Absolutely insulting to the deceased family members. It should be ALREADY up to standards. This cr#p still in 2024 

 

My condolences to the families 🙏😥

[Spock]

10 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

 

The water is turned off because *if* the sprinklers come on the water damage will likely be far higher than the fire damage. 

You turn the sprinklers on only if and when the fire is out of control and further damage won't matter.

Sprinkler systems are meant to activate in response to a fire not in response to human intervention.

[Digitalbanana]

Tragic as any hotel is, the name of the hotel was tempting fate wasn't it?

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A  fire at The Ember Hotel on Tani Road, near Bangkok’s popular Khao San Road, has claimed three lives and left several others injured. The incident has prompted Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to order the temporary closure of the hotel to ensure the building meets safety standards.

A tad late

[GiveMeAColdOne]

8 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

Tragic as any hotel is, the name of the hotel was tempting fate wasn't it?

I thought the same.  😮‍💨

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

I was surprised at the equipment used to rescue hotel guests.  A good example that Thailand is NOT a third world country as claimed by some on this forum.

Not in my neck of the woods..

[AustinRacing]

1 hour ago, The Alien said:

 ‘he expressed hope that the tragedy would not affect the city’s tourism.’

😱

Highlights the true mentality of the culture. Losing face and money trumps everything.

[Taboo2]

Sad, so very sad.