Fire breaks out at Sukhumvit building

BANGKOK: -- A massive fire broke out at the seventh floor of a 13-storey office building on Soi Sukhumvit 21 Saturday afternoon.

Over ten fire engines rushed to the scene but it was difficult for firemen to reach the seventh floor with the hoses and the fire ladder was difficult to operate at the area had many power cables.

The blaze spread to the eighth and ninth floors quickly and officers urgently evacuate people from the building.

The fire started at about 3:20 pm and fire firghters had yet to control the blaze.

The fire caused severe traffic congestion on Soi Asoke and Sukhumvit Road.

-- The Nation 2012-03-03

RT @RichardBarrow: 2:53pm Picture of the fire at the FICO building in Bangkok - RT @Buapuan: ไฟไหม้อาคาร FICO http://bit.ly/xWC0aP

RT @RichardBarrow: 3pm Pic of the fire in the FICO building on Asok. Looks to be on the 7th floor - RT @soolloos: http://bit.ly/AhqLkH

Fire at 7th floor of Fico building on Asoke Rd near Siam Society; fire trucks blocking road as blaze spreads to 8th floor /TANN

RT @RichardBarrow: 3:15pm According to @CELAB99 the fire at FICO has spread to ten floors now. Picture: http://bit.ly/yK756N

RT @RichardBarrow: Fico Place in Bangkok has commercial space for rent if anyone is interested: 550 Baht/sq.m./month http://bit.ly/xD5bFQ

RT @RichardBarrow: 3:21pm Fire trucks unable to stop the fire spreading at the FICO building. Picture via @soolloos: http://bit.ly/wNjJIo

RT @RichardBarrow: 3:25pm Avoid Asok area due to fire at FICO building. More fire trucks on their way - RT @scomma: http://bit.ly/zLcDQ3

RT @RichardBarrow: 2:53pm Picture of the fire at the FICO building in Bangkok - RT @Buapuan: ไฟไหม้อาคาร FICO http://bit.ly/xWC0aP

RT @RichardBarrow: 3pm Pic of the fire in the FICO building on Asok. Looks to be on the 7th floor - RT @soolloos: http://bit.ly/AhqLkH

Glad to see the firefighters have the equipment for highrises.

RT @RichardBarrow: 3:40pm Major traffic jams reported on Sukhumwit Rd due to fire at FICO. Picture via @panraphee http://twitpic.com/8rchg3

RT @RichardBarrow: 3:52pm Picture of fire trucks in front of FICO building. Road closed to traffic. RT @edwfree: http://twitter.com/edwfree/status/175866250860298240/photo/1

Lets hope the structure is up to the job!

Would be easier for them to extinguish the flames if endless power cables were taken care of in due time.

Hope there are no victims

RT @VictorMeldrewBK: At last. Now more than 1 watercanon in use. 3 on the go and one negotiating cables http://yfrog.com/odakftoej

"Over ten fire engines rushed to the scene but it was difficult for firemen to reach the seventh floor with the hoses and the fire ladder was difficult to operate at the area had many power cables."

now they might realize why those pesky farangs have such strict fire codes in their high rises.

good luck all - getting out and recovering the damage.

no sprinklers inside the building??

"Over ten fire engines rushed to the scene but it was difficult for firemen to reach the seventh floor with the hoses and the fire ladder was difficult to operate at the area had many power cables."

now they might realize why those pesky farangs have such strict fire codes in their high rises.

good luck all - getting out and recovering the damage.

they'll blame it on the parts of the building plan they took from farang ideas.

RT @RichardBarrow: 2:53pm Picture of the fire at the FICO building in Bangkok - RT @Buapuan: ไฟไหม้อาคาร FICO http://bit.ly/xWC0aP

RT @RichardBarrow: 3pm Pic of the fire in the FICO building on Asok. Looks to be on the 7th floor - RT @soolloos: http://bit.ly/AhqLkH

Glad to see the firefighters have the equipment for highrises.

i think they have the absolutely right equipment - but the city infrastructure with all these stupid powerpoles and cables going in all directions does not allow firfighters to do a proper rescue job!

Smoke seems to have stopped rising from my vantage point. I hope everyone was safe. Seeing some of the fire-fighters in nothing more than flip-flops, shorts and t-shirts....jeesg I hope they didn't go in the building

"Over ten fire engines rushed to the scene but it was difficult for firemen to reach the seventh floor with the hoses and the fire ladder was difficult to operate at the area had many power cables."

now they might realize why those pesky farangs have such strict fire codes in their high rises.

good luck all - getting out and recovering the damage.

So, with no working knowledge of how this fire started, how it is being managed, or what the final toll is...your conclusion is that "Thai Bad" - "Farang Good"

Like you , I hope no one is injured, and the damage is minor. Hopefully, the offices are vacant on Saturday.

Really, the Farang do not have fires? Really? Wish I knew that, since I lost two dear friends in one...in the USA.

whats weird though is that even cheapass condos that go for 500k baht have fire hoses next to every set of stairs and sprinklers...

Isn't it amazing that so many comments already criticise Thai standards.

If you don't like it, here's an idea: go home.

Have some sense and compassion.

Off topic conspiracy post has been removed.

RT @RichardBarrow: 2:53pm Picture of the fire at the FICO building in Bangkok - RT @Buapuan: ไฟไหม้อาคาร FICO http://bit.ly/xWC0aP

RT @RichardBarrow: 3pm Pic of the fire in the FICO building on Asok. Looks to be on the 7th floor - RT @soolloos: http://bit.ly/AhqLkH

Glad to see the firefighters have the equipment for highrises.

i think they have the absolutely right equipment - but the city infrastructure with all these stupid powerpoles and cables going in all directions does not allow firfighters to do a proper rescue job!

Never thought of it before just amazed at all the cables but now this has happened it highlights the problem. I don't suppose it will change though.

Hope everyone is OK.

Edited March 3, 201214 yr by kimamey

Isn't it amazing that so many comments already criticise Thai standards.

If you don't like it, here's an idea: go home.

Have some sense and compassion.

I have a new game. I read each news thread and wait to see how many posts it takes before the usual 'everything is shit in Thaiand' post occurs. The number is getting lower and lower.

It's getting very tedious

"Over ten fire engines rushed to the scene but it was difficult for firemen to reach the seventh floor with the hoses and the fire ladder was difficult to operate at the area had many power cables."

now they might realize why those pesky farangs have such strict fire codes in their high rises.

good luck all - getting out and recovering the damage.

...are you sure they will learn from their mistakes?

now they might realize why those pesky farangs have such strict fire codes in their high rises.

Give it a rest. Is there no occasion when pointless racism can be left out of a thread.

they'll blame it on the parts of the building plan they took from farang ideas.

Why wait for something to criticize? Just make stuff up! Saves time and any contact with reality.

Edited March 3, 201214 yr by Suradit69

RT @RichardBarrow: 3:40pm Major traffic jams reported on Sukhumwit Rd due to fire at FICO. Picture via @panraphee http://twitpic.com/8rchg3

Sukhumvit Road normally looks like that

Isn't it amazing that so many comments already criticise Thai standards.

If you don't like it, here's an idea: go home.

Have some sense and compassion.

Quite!

However, commenting on safety regulations or the lack of same might eventually mean that same would be revised.

Telling someone to stop commenting and advising to go home is not really the way.

Have some sense and compassion?

Indeed for the victims compassion, but definitely not for those who think that having safety regulations is just hindering the making of money.

And about sense, ah........

Isn't it amazing that so many comments already criticise Thai standards.

If you don't like it, here's an idea: go home.

Have some sense and compassion.

I have a new game. I read each news thread and wait to see how many posts it takes before the usual 'everything is shit in Thaiand' post occurs. The number is getting lower and lower.

It's getting very tedious

Johnnie, I completely agree with this assessment. I have had my happiest days in the Kingdom, and am grateful for each day I live here. Why do people stay in a place they do not like. Isn't the definition of insanity to repeat a behavior and expect a different outcome?

OMG. Mystery solved!

Off topic posts have been removed.

Isn't it amazing that so many comments already criticise Thai standards.

If you don't like it, here's an idea: go home.

Have some sense and compassion.

Quite!

However, commenting on safety regulations or the lack of same might eventually mean that same would be revised.

Telling someone to stop commenting and advising to go home is not really the way.

Have some sense and compassion?

Indeed for the victims compassion, but definitely not for those who think that having safety regulations is just hindering the making of money.

And about sense, ah........

Well then...enlighten us, and please do not skip any...

(1) How did the fire start?

(2) How long did it take for the fire fighters to arrive?

(3) I see aerial equipment in the photos, spraying directly into the upper floors, do you do it differently at home?

(4) Does the building have a sprinkler system?

(5) What country did the designers of this building come from?

(6) Has anyone been injured?

(7) Is the fire out now?

Please, you seem to know a lot about this...please..do tell...

Isn't it amazing that so many comments already criticise Thai standards.

If you don't like it, here's an idea: go home.

Have some sense and compassion.

Many of us are sick of seeing people needlessly maimed or killed because of a pathetic attitude to safety and maintenance. For example - you know how much safety gear those firefighters have got? You know what happens to them if they are injured and can no longer work?

Compassion is trying to improve standards. If you prefer to turn a blind eye to stupidity, maybe it is you that should get on your bike and go home. Putting up with it doesnt do Thailand any favours.

Unfortunate - Fico Corporation has just bought Nana Entertainment Plaza