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

[bfc1980]

Bravo to the Bangkok Governor. Such a hero.

If this governor job doesn't work out for him, he'll be pleased to know he can get a job on a farm closing stable doors after the horses have run off. 

[Celsius]

9 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 offense, but are you also impressed by the beauty of Thai shopping malls? They arr also world class.

[Hawaiian]

1 minute ago, Celsius said:

 

No offense, but are you also impressed by the beauty of Thai shopping malls? They arr also world class.

Very impressive, but not my thing.  I prefer natural wonders and the outdoors.

[crazykopite]

9 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.

Only because it’s a major city come to

my island we have one basic fire engine 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Three Foreign Tourists Dead in Khao San Road Hotel Fire Identified

 

 

Bangkok authorities have identified the nationalities of three foreign tourists who tragically died in a hotel fire near Khao San Road on the night of December 29. The victims were a Brazilian woman, a Ukrainian man, and an American man.

 

The Brazilian victim, recently engaged to her boyfriend, tragically lost her life after re-entering the building. According to reports, she became separated from her fiancé during the chaotic escape and was found in room 511, where she apparently sought refuge. Her fiancé survived the blaze but was left devastated by her death.

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that the hotel had two fire escapes but lacked a sprinkler system. The absence of sprinklers complied with local regulations, as the building was too small to require such safety measures under current laws.

 

The incident has raised concerns about fire safety in smaller accommodations, with officials urging stricter regulations to prevent similar tragedies. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and assess whether any negligence contributed to the loss of life.

 

-- 2024-12-30

 

 

[smew]

Yesterday one Japanese man stubbed by a drunk Thai- English in pattaya today 3 dead in Bkk hotel fire… what next??.. a bus or a train accident..

[BusyB]

9 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.

 

In the cities and major towns no. But outside those (many) hotspots it is still a developing/emerging economy.

 

A quick search showed me Bangkok has the second highest regional GDP in Thailand. (Rayong is No.1, presumably because of all the oil business there, Mapthaphut etc.)

[NativeBob]

Interesting choice of hospitals. Only 2 are at Hua Chiew Hospital. The rest scattered all over Bangkok private hospitals. 

[Yagoda]

10 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.

Lots of high rise buildings.

[SenorTashi]

I never feel very comfortable sleeping in a building full of people who are black out drunk,

wasted on god knows what and smoking in bed, etc, etc

Not to mention that in a lot of cheap places, the wires are often hanging out of the sockets

after so many people have forced the wrong plugs in there. 

 

[bbbbooboo]

hmmm… any fire alarms in the building, I wonder?

[snoop1130]

1 million baht to compensate families of Khao San Road hotel fire victims

 

Photo via One 31

 

By Petch Petpailin

 

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to compensate the families of those who died in a fire at a hotel near Khao San Road in Bangkok with 1 million baht each. Injured victims are expected to receive 500,000 baht each.

 

Three deaths and seven injuries were reported in the fire, which broke out at The Ember Hotel in the Khao San Road area of Bangkok last night, December 29. Most of the injured victims are still receiving treatment at various hospitals across Bangkok.

 

At the time of the incident, 75 guests were at the hotel, 39 of whom were on the fifth floor, where the blaze began. Reports indicate that the fire originated in room 511, where three South Korean men were staying.

 

The three South Korean nationals were not in the room when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed.

 

In room 511, officers discovered the body of a Brazilian woman whose identity had not been revealed to the public. She had been staying with her fiancé in the nearby room 502 and initially escaped the fire with him. Tragically, they became separated due to thick smoke.

 

Marriage plan ends in tragedy

 

Officials suspect that the Brazilian woman mistakenly thought the open door to room 511 was a fire exit and entered the room, where she was trapped and burned to death. The couple had recently become engaged and were planning to marry soon. The Brazilian man survived the incident.

 

 

The other two deceased were identified as an American man and a Ukrainian man, both of whom reportedly died in hospital from smoke inhalation.

 

The seven injured victims were identified as one Chinese national, two Germans, one Japanese national, two Thais, and one unidentified woman.

 

This afternoon, December 30, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced its intention to compensate the families of the deceased foreign nationals with 1 million baht each and the injured foreign nationals with 500,000 baht each.

 

There has been no confirmation regarding whether the injured Thai nationals will receive the same amount of compensation.

 

Survivor tells story

 

One survivor, 34 year old American national Jeff Johnson, told One 31 news agency that he arrived in Thailand two weeks ago and was staying on the fourth floor of the hotel with a friend.

 

Johnson smelled smoke, which he initially thought was from a cigarette. However, the smoke became thicker, prompting him to check outside his room, where he encountered chaos. He decided to go upstairs and wait for help on the rooftop.

 

Johnson expressed appreciation for the swift response of Thai officials and stated that he was not afraid to continue his trip. He regarded the incident as an accident and commended the efficiency of the Thai emergency response.

 

Currently, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is working to provide accommodation and facilities for the survivors. Officials are also surveying each victim’s needs to provide appropriate assistance.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-12-30

 

 

[kennypowers]

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

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

 

You're thinking about money?

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Bangkok Hotel Fire latest

 

 

The fire originated in Room 511 on the fifth floor, although the exact cause remains under investigation.

 

The hotel, which opened in April 2022, had two fire exits and was equipped with fire extinguishers and standard alarm systems. However, being a relatively small structure, it was not required to install sprinkler systems under current regulations.

 

The fire resulted in the deaths of three individuals:

 

1. Ms. Pimentel Canales Albuquerque, 24, a Brazilian national, perished in Room 511. She had been staying with her fiancé in Room 502 and had recently been proposed to.

 

2. Mr. Tuzov Victor, 27, a Ukrainian national, succumbed to his injuries at Vajira Hospital

.

3. Mr. Freeman Jr. Timothy, 35, an American national, died at Samitivej Chinatown Hospital.

 

The hotel was accommodating 75 guests at the time of the incident. Thirty-four individuals were rescued from the rooftop using fire service ladders, while others evacuated through lower-floor exits. Tragically, the Brazilian victim became separated from her fiancé while escaping through thick smoke. It is believed she inadvertently entered Room 511, mistaking it for an exit, where she ultimately lost her life.

 

The fiancé managed to reach the third floor before leaping to safety from the building’s rear, sustaining injuries in the process.

 

The room where the fire began was occupied by three South Korean men who were not present during the incident. Authorities are actively seeking their cooperation for further investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage to establish the fire’s cause.

 

Preliminary assessments by the Thai Structural Engineers Association revealed no significant impact on the building’s structure. Damage was confined to the interior of Room 511, with the bed identified as the most severely affected area.

 

List of Casualties

 

Fatalities

 

Ms. Pimentel Canales Albuquerque, 24, Brazilian, died at the scene (Room 511).

Mr. Tuzov Victor, 27, Ukrainian, died at Vajira Hospital.

Mr. Freeman Jr. Timothy, 35, American, died at Samitivej Chinatown Hospital.

 

Injuries

 

1. Mr. Sarawut Liwmai (Thai), hotel electrician, minor injuries, treated at Vajira Hospital.

2. Mr. Marvin Holtkamp (Dutch), minor injuries, treated at Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital.

3. Ms. Nadine Hueftlein (Dutch), back pain and leg numbness, treated at Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital.

4. Unnamed female foreigner, suffering from smoke inhalation, treated at Vajira Hospital.

 

The authorities continue to work closely with forensic experts and diplomatic representatives to contact the families of the victims.

 

-- 2024-12-30

 

 

[Aussie999]

11 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.

Turntable ladders do not make it that advanced... geez mate

By the way, Thailand has not been classified 3rd world for a long time, it is considered a developing nation... which means it has a long way to go.

[Aussie999]

6 hours ago, Emdog said:

No sprinkler system? No fire extinguishers?

Doesn't look like a low rent corner cutting dive

Looks can be deceptive

Any fireproof fire escapes 

[Aussie999]

4 hours 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.

Actually sprinklers should only come on in the vicinity of the fire  most people think they all come on at the same time... guess we can blame movies for that myth. 

[impulse]

Incidents like this make me wonder whether I should start packing a battery operated smoke/CO detector to use in hotel rooms.  I can't recall whether the Thai hotels I usually stay in have smoke detectors (never mind whether they work or not).  Seems like a good use of $15USD and a little luggage space.

[Ctkong]

5 hours 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 

Turning on sprinklers will over time ,with pressurized water, will break the seals inducing leakages and added costs so if the sprinklers were only turned on manually upon an outbreak of fire, it will surely save costs. That is typical thinking in Thailand , my take. 

 

[ukrules]

51 minutes ago, kennypowers said:

You're thinking about money?

 

So are those in hospital, believe me on this.

[kingstonkid]

5 hours ago, nickmondo said:

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

If ,@georgealbert is correct it probably met standards.

 

It's too bad someone diedy condolences to the families hell of a way to start a new year.

 

Have to wonder if cigarettes were involved 

[Cereal]

12 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.

I have always maintained that Thailand is a 3rd rate 1st world country. While, Laos, where I live, is a 1st rate 3rd world country.

[scottiejohn]

24 minutes ago, Cereal said:

I have always maintained that Thailand is a 3rd rate 1st world country. While, Laos, where I live, is a 1st rate 3rd world country.

Then why post on this forum?

[Georgealbert]

37 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

If ,@georgealbert is correct it probably met standards.

 

It's too bad someone diedy condolences to the families hell of a way to start a new year.

 

Have to wonder if cigarettes were involved 

Can I clarify, what the Bangkok governor said was it did not require sprinklers under current regulations, because of its size, same as similar regulations around the world. It also had a fire alarm system fitted, but they are not sure if it was functional. Also remember a hotel fire alarm may have heat detector in bedrooms, hence a longer delay in activation once a fire has started.

 

I posted earlier, my questions are why the passive, structural fire safety design measures and compartmentation failed. This was a single room fire, contained in one room and the fire is reported to have possibly started in the bed area in a room which was unoccupied at the time. The design should never allow for smoke to block two exit routes and staircases, like it did here. 
 

The investigation will look into the cause, plus it needs to look at what changes in design have been made since the original plans were made. 3 deaths from smoke caused by a small fire, within a hotel which has alternative means of escape is a failure caused by a either or a combination of changes made to the layout, changes to passive fire safety fittings, doors, glass or poor maintenance or safety standards, such as poor fitting fire doors or the practise of securing fire doors in an open position.

[Edina]

Does seem ironical that the name of the hotel was the EMBER hotel, considering it went on fire. !!!!

[alex8912]

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Can I clarify, what the Bangkok governor said was it did not require sprinklers under current regulations, because of its size, same as similar regulations around the world. It also had a fire alarm system fitted, but they are not sure if it was functional. Also remember a hotel fire alarm may have heat detector in bedrooms, hence a longer delay in activation once a fire has started.

 

I posted earlier, my questions are why the passive, structural fire safety design measures and compartmentation failed. This was a single room fire, contained in one room and the fire is reported to have possibly started in the bed area in a room which was unoccupied at the time. The design should never allow for smoke to block two exit routes and staircases, like it did here. 
 

The investigation will look into the cause, plus it needs to look at what changes in design have been made since the original plans were made. 3 deaths from smoke caused by a small fire, within a hotel which has alternative means of escape is a failure caused by a either or a combination of changes made to the layout, changes to passive fire safety fittings, doors, glass or poor maintenance or safety standards, such as poor fitting fire doors or the practise of securing fire doors in an open position.

This thread said the Brasilian lady who died mistakenly went into room 511 so she opened the door. Smoke/ fire/ heat then escaped. I'm sure the door wasn't closed since she died. A mattress catches fire incredibly fast ( tons of vids on this). 

[khaowong1]

The incident has prompted Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to order the temporary closure of the hotel to ensure the building meets safety standards.  A little late.  

[it is what it is]

7 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

Actually sprinklers should only come on in the vicinity of the fire  most people think they all come on at the same time... guess we can blame movies for that myth. 

 

absolutely.

[Hanuman2547]

A very tragic accident that could have been prevented if proper safety precautions were taken.  Unfortunately, this is far too often overlooked in Thailand.  

[VictorInBKK]

20 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.

Let's wait for an investigation to determine the root cause of the incident. Safety regulations, standards and procedures is also a good metric to define first world status. If you have solid prevention measures, rescue and evacuation may not even be needed and its expediture obviously goes down. The fact that the building is not public doesn´t mean that the government should not be held accountable if there are some holes in the safety standards that private businesses must observe.

 

I see many reports of accidents involving what it seems ill prepared workers and there have been infamous incidents involving fires at venues to happily give Thailand first world status for displaying some glimpses of modern equipment in the capital's city center.