Over 3,500 Bangkok Buildings Face Fire Hazard

[george]

Over 3,500 Bangkok buildings face fire hazard

Bangkok, Nov. 25 (VNA) - Over 3,500 buildings in Bangkok pose a fire hazard, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The BMA reported the figure on Monday, as fire fighters continued to tackle a blaze at Bangkok's largest fabric department store, Pahurat Plaza.

The BMA warned the public to be particularly careful during the winter when statistically more fires occur.

BMA statistics show that last year fires in Bangkok caused 239 million baht worth of damage, and 16 deaths. Since the beginning of 2003, there have been 28 major fires and 230 minor fires in the capital, in which 11 people have died.

The fire at Pahurat Plaza started at around 10:00 am on Sunday and was put out on Monday with no reported deaths.

--VNA 2003-11-26

Damages fire were initially estimated at 50 million baht.--Enditem