Eleven injured in nighttime mall fire in popular Bangkok district

A fire broke out Friday night at the Khlong Thom shopping mall in Bangkok's bustling Chinatown, injuring eleven people, including one seriously. Firefighters were still working to extinguish smoke on Saturday as authorities assessed the risk of the structure collapsing.

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some pillars and steel structures have deformed due to heat, posing a risk of collapse.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported that "some pillars and steel structures have deformed due to heat, posing a risk of collapse" at the mall, which is known for selling vintage and electronic products. Firefighters continued to spray water and combat smoke, noting that the building's heavy steel structure made it difficult for water to reach heat-sensitive areas.

According to the Erawan Hospital, nine individuals sustained minor injuries, while one person suffered serious injuries. A volunteer firefighter is in critical condition due to smoke inhalation. Preliminary reports indicate that around 70 of the mall's more than 300 small shops were affected by the fire, a number expected to rise as assessments continue.

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Firefighters continue to spray water and extinguish the smoke.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which they believe originated on the first floor where numerous shops stored merchandise, including electronic devices and other flammable materials. This incident marks the second major fire in Bangkok in recent months, following a deadly blaze in July that killed 41 people at a bar.

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suffered smoke inhalation and is in serious condition.