Pictures courtesy of  Daily News

 

A fire broke out at a 38-storey condominium opposite Pata Department Store in Bangkok’s Pinklao area on the afternoon of 9 October, prompting a mass evacuation of residents. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the 16th floor as emergency crews rushed to the scene around 14:00. Firefighters from the Bang Khun Non Fire and Rescue Station managed to control the blaze within 45 minutes.

 

The incident occurred at a high-rise residential complex on Somdet Phra Pinklao Road in Arun Amarin subdistrict, Bangkok Noi district. Firefighters arriving on site found flames and dense smoke spreading from a 16th-floor unit. Teams worked to extinguish the blaze while guiding residents, including elderly people, children, Thais and foreigners, to safety via emergency escape routes.

 

Bangkok’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DPMO) Director, Suriya Chai Rawiwan, said the fire originated in a 60-square-metre apartment on the 16th floor but the precise cause remains under investigation. He confirmed that the building’s sprinkler system failed to activate, though the alarm system functioned properly. The damage was confined to one unit, and engineers later confirmed the building’s structural integrity was unaffected.

 

More than 20 residents suffered from smoke inhalation, while one elderly woman was found unconscious on the 33rd floor. Rescue workers performed first aid at the scene until she regained consciousness before carrying her to safety. Firefighters continued ventilating the building to remove lingering toxic smoke and residents were temporarily barred from re-entering their units until the area was declared safe.

 

Authorities coordinated temporary accommodation for displaced residents through the Bangkok Noi District Office. The cause and full extent of damage will be determined following a detailed forensic investigation by the Fire Evidence Examination Division. Officials are also reviewing the building’s fire safety systems after the sprinkler none activation was confirmed.

 

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Fire broke out on the 16th floor of a 38-storey condo in Pinklao on 9 October.

• Residents were evacuated after sprinklers did nothing activate.

• No structural damage was found, but toxic fumes delayed residents’ return.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-10-10

 

 

 

 

 

Trolling meme removed @Oliver Holzerfilled

Sprinklers not working is disgraceful! Could it be that they were shut off on purpose.....had they been activated before...and never restored?

 

15 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

Sprinklers not working is disgraceful! Could it be that they were shut off on purpose.....had they been activated before...and never restored?

 

The report does not say they were turned off, it says they failed to activate. 
 

There are many possible reasons why sprinklers do not activate:

 

1. System failure - turned off, damaged system, poor design, low water pressure.

 

2. Sprinkler head not exposed - layout change in the unit, head painted over or covered, by occupiers.

 

3. Fire location - if the fire was on the balcony or covered area, then ceiling temperatures may not of reached activation level (normally  68–74°C (155–165°F) for a life safety system), with the sprinkler head shielded from the heat.

 

The bigger concern again is how smoke was able to escape the unit of origin and affect escape routes, corridors and staircases. The fire alarm was clearly working, as reported and heard in the video above. The fire damage from reports and picture was contained the unit of origin, it was ineffective smoke control that caused the injuries and escape issues.

 

Smoke control is normally achieved by:

 

1. Good fitting fire doors, with smoke seals on entrance doors. The investigation needs to look at if this was the case in this unit. Had the door been changed, was it poor fitting, always left open, etc.

 

2. In this height of building, you would expect smoke protection of the escape staircases, normally achieved by pressurisation of the staircases. A mechanical system, linked to the fire alarm, which forces clean air into the staircase, creating a higher pressure than surrounding spaces, keeping it smoke free and stopping vertical smoke spread to other floors.

 

Also remember that it takes direct heat/flame onto a sprinkler head for it to activate, smoke or the fire alarm will not set off a sprinkler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

The report does not say they were turned off, it says they failed to activate. 
 

There are many possible reasons why sprinklers do not activate:

 

1. System failure - turned off, damaged system, poor design, low water pressure.

 

2. Sprinkler head not exposed - layout change in the unit, head painted over or covered, by occupiers.

 

3. Fire location - if the fire was on the balcony or covered area, then ceiling temperatures may not of reached activation level (normally  68–74°C (155–165°F) for a life safety system), with the sprinkler head shielded from the heat.

 

The bigger concern again is how smoke was able to escape the unit of origin and affect escape routes, corridors and staircases. The fire alarm was clearly working, as reported and heard in the video above. The fire damage from reports and picture was contained the unit of origin, it was ineffective smoke control that caused the injuries and escape issues.

 

Smoke control is normally achieved by:

 

1. Good fitting fire doors, with smoke seals on entrance doors. The investigation needs to look at if this was the case in this unit. Had the door been changed, was it poor fitting, always left open, etc.

 

2. In this height of building, you would expect smoke protection of the escape staircases, normally achieved by pressurisation of the staircases. A mechanical system, linked to the fire alarm, which forces clean air into the staircase, creating a higher pressure than surrounding spaces, keeping it smoke free and stopping vertical smoke spread to other floors.

 

Also remember that it takes direct heat/flame onto a sprinkler head for it to activate, smoke or the fire alarm will not set off a sprinkler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are also smoke sensors that can activate the sprinklers, it does not always have to be activated by fire.
It is a very dangerous situation with a 38-storey building and a non-functioning alarm system, but yes, it is and remains LOS.

10 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

There are also smoke sensors that can activate the sprinklers, it does not always have to be activated by fire.
It is a very dangerous situation with a 38-storey building and a non-functioning alarm system, but yes, it is and remains LOS.

The fire alarm system was working, the sprinkler head did not activate.
 

Please explain how in the standard life safety system in Thailand, you think smoke detectors will operate a sprinkler head.

 

The sprinkler head has a glass bulb with coloured fluid and a small air bubble. The head needs to direct heat to smash the  to allow water flow.

 

Smoke detectors, can be fitted to fire deluge systems, but these would never be fitted in accommodation areas.building.

 

Refer to the following standards for a better understanding.

 

NFPA 13 — Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

 

BS EN 12845 — Fixed Firefighting Systems: Automatic Sprinkler Systems

 

 

7 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

The fire alarm system was working, the sprinkler head did not activate.
 

Please explain how in the standard life safety system in Thailand, you think smoke detectors will operate a sprinkler head.

 

The sprinkler head has a glass bulb with coloured fluid and a small air bubble. The head needs to direct heat to smash the  to allow water flow.

 

Smoke detectors, can be fitted to fire deluge systems, but these would never be fitted in accommodation areas.building.

 

Refer to the following standards for a better understanding.

 

NFPA 13 — Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

 

BS EN 12845 — Fixed Firefighting Systems: Automatic Sprinkler Systems

 

 

All right, it's clear that you know what you're talking about, given your valuable explanation. My opinion is that of a layman.

1 minute ago, Peterphuket said:

All right, it's clear that you know what you're talking about, given your valuable explanation. My opinion is that of a layman.

Sorry, I was not trying to offend, just trying to explain some of the myths people have about sprinklers and fire safety systems and how they work. 
 

People often think it is like the movies, one head goes off and every other one drowns the place in water. Sprinkler head operate on a single head activation at a time.

24 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

There are also smoke sensors that can activate the sprinklers, it does not always have to be activated by fire.
It is a very dangerous situation with a 38-storey building and a non-functioning alarm system, but yes, it is and remains LOS.

 

Looks like it was on one of the balconies? Maybe no sensors on balconies?

Chang beer strikes again.

On 10/10/2025 at 4:49 AM, Georgealbert said:

He confirmed that the building’s sprinkler system failed to activate,

Ooooop's

Holy Crap this could really been so much worse.  

On 10/10/2025 at 4:49 AM, Georgealbert said:

the fire originated in a 60-square-metre apartment on the 16th floor

 

It would be interesting to know how exactly the fire crews fought the fire in this case, being on the 16th floor.

 

Historically here in Bangkok, as best as I recall, the highest floors that fire equipment could directly reach were about 7 floors up. Beyond that, it was beyond their reach from the ground.

 

Maybe, they have some newer apparatus that has a higher reach. If so, it would be good to know just how high.

 

 

44 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

It would be interesting to know how exactly the fire crews fought the fire in this case, being on the 16th floor.

 

Historically here in Bangkok, as best as I recall, the highest floors that fire equipment could directly reach were about 7 floors up. Beyond that, it was beyond their reach from the ground.

 

Maybe, they have some newer apparatus that has a higher reach. If so, it would be good to know just how high.

 

 

This fire was mostly fought internally, using standard high rise response procedures.

 

1. A bridgehead/staging point established 1 or 2 floors below the fire floor.(Picture below from the fire)

 

2. Water hose-lines set into the fire riser system.

3. Given the height of the building, I would assume wet riser, always charged and water supply tank/pumps in the building.

4. The building will also have a fire service inlet to supplement water supplies from fire appliances and hydrants.

5. Firefighting and rescue teams in breathing apparatus can then procedure to the fire floor and above. (Picture below from the fire)

 

 

6. Equipment will be transported up to the staging area, using a firefighter lift, which is taken over and operated only by response teams from the ground floor and the lift itself.

 

Bangkok Fire & Rescue tallest ladder appliance.

Bangkok Fire & Rescue has 4 Scania P460 90 Metres ALPs (aerial ladder platform). Built on a Scania chassis with the a Brontoskylift hydraulic platform system. These have a maximum working height of 90 metres.

 

At this fire, the issue was restricted access to the footprint of the building. The ALP as seen at the fire in the picture below, was set up away from the base of the building, so had reduced maximum reach onto the building, but was still able to reach the 16 floor, as seen in the OP.

 

Casualty update.

 

One person is now reported to have died from the incident. Information from Bangkok Fire & Rescue Service.

 

Case 1➡ A 95-year-old male with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported him to Chao Phraya Hospital. 
Case 2➡ A 68-year-old female with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported him to Chao Phraya Hospital. 
Case 3➡ A 1-year-old male with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to Thonburi Hospital 1. 
Case 4➡ 43-year-old female with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to Vajira Hospital. 
Case 5➡ 4-year-old male with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to Vajira Hospital. 
Case 6➡ 9-month-old male with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to Vajira Hospital. 
Case 7➡ 11-year-old female with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to Vajira Hospital. 
Case 8➡ 37-year-old female with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to Vajira Hospital.
Case 9➡ 66-year-old female with physical injuries due to falling down the stairs. Volunteers transported to Vajira Hospital. 
Case 10➡ 74-year-old male with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to Klang Hospital. 
Case 11➡ 41-year-old female with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to Klang Hospital 
Case 12➡ 59-year-old female with smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to the Central Hospital, 
case 13➡ Female, age 76 years, had symptoms of smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to Siriraj Hospital, 
case 14➡ Female, age 98 years, had symptoms of smoke inhalation. Volunteers transported to Siriraj Hospital. 

And there was one death, a male, age 58 years, who died at Siriraj Hospital.

 

20 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Bangkok Fire & Rescue has 4 Scania P460 90 Metres ALPs (aerial ladder platform). Built on a Scania chassis with the a Brontoskylift hydraulic platform system. These have a maximum working height of 90 metres.

 

 

Thanks for that! I did see the ladder truck bucket shown seeming to be looking downward on the 16th floor in one of the OP photos... But that didn't fit with my (out-of-date) sense of their equipment capacity!  So thanks for the update about that.

 

If I'm calculating things the right way, a 90-meter extension on a fire truck ought to be able to reach to about the 30+th floor of a typical residential building (assuming it could park close enough) -- which certainly is a big improvement over what the Bangkok FD used to have.

 

Of course, if they only have FOUR of that particular piece of equipment department wide, it kind of raises the question of where they're stationed and how long it would typically take them, fighting BKK traffic, to reach some high-rise in a more distant area of BKK away from their home stations.

 

PS - I've always operated from my personal presumption that I never want to be staying/living in a high-rise building that's higher/beyond the reach capacity of fire equipment on the ground -- even though I well understand that high-rise fires oftentimes can be fought from the inside, depending on the circumstances.

 

 

 

18 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

 

Thanks for that! I did see the ladder truck bucket shown seeming to be looking downward on the 16th floor in one of the OP photos... But that didn't fit with my (out-of-date) sense of their equipment capacity!  So thanks for the update about that.

 

If I'm calculating things the right way, a 90-meter extension on a fire truck ought to be able to reach to about the 30th floor of a typical residential building -- which certainly is a big improvement over what the Bangkok FD used to have.

 

Of course, if they only have FOUR of that particular piece of equipment department wide, it kind of raises the question of where they're stationed and how long it would typically take them, fighting BKK traffic, to reach some more distant area of BKK away from their home stations.

 

PS - I've always operated from my personal presumption that I never want to be staying/living in a high-rise building that's higher/beyond the reach capacity of fire equipment on the ground.

 

 

Bangkok is like every city, with limited number of tall ladder appliances. They are also supported by multiple other appliances, smaller reach ALPs, TLs (turntable ladders) and HPs (hydraulic platforms)

 

As a comparison, the London Fire & Rescue Service only has three of the tallest ladders in the UK, which are 64-meter turntable ladders. These are located at fire stations in Dagenham, Old Kent Road and Wimbledon.

 

The design of the building is meant to contain the fire, until the responders are in place to fully deal with any incident. That design will include passive fire safety measures, vertical and horizontal fire compartments, smoke and heat detectors, fire doors, pressurised escape staircases, fire alarm, signage, emergency lighting, fire stopping of all ducts/pipes, fire dampers, etc.

 

The design will also have active fire protection systems, sprinklers, fire extraction systems, extinguishers, hose reels,etc.

 

The problems occur when these measures are either not maintained or are compromised by changes, such as with the Grenfell Tower fire, being an example. The tallest ladder used at Grenfell had to come from Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, from Leatherhead fire station.

On 10/10/2025 at 8:48 AM, Georgealbert said:

Sorry, I was not trying to offend, just trying to explain some of the myths people have about sprinklers and fire safety systems and how they work. 
 

People often think it is like the movies, one head goes off and every other one drowns the place in water. Sprinkler head operate on a single head activation at a time.

Exactly.  The last thing you want is your sprinklers going off because there is a fire in someone else's condo.  

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