Major Bangkok blaze injures 11, damages hundreds of stalls amid toxic smoke alert

A massive fire ravaged Bangkok's Khlong Thom Centre, leaving 11 people injured and destroying hundreds of retail stalls. Hazardous smoke continued to billow from the collapsed structure on the morning of August 29, as firefighters battled to prevent the blaze from reigniting.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that crews were spraying water on the ruins, but smoldering material trapped beneath the debris made it difficult to reach all areas. Excavators were on standby, pending an engineer's assessment of whether they could safely clear a path into the building to locate the fire's origin. The surrounding structure's instability posed a significant risk, demanding extreme caution from all operations.

Eleven individuals sustained injuries, including a volunteer firefighter in critical condition from smoke inhalation. Most of the injured were volunteers, with one member of the public also treated for smoke inhalation. No deaths were reported, and authorities do not believe anyone was trapped inside the commercial building.

The building's facade presented a major obstacle, hindering water from reaching the interior. Large quantities of batteries and other combustible goods stored inside fueled the flames, overwhelming the sprinkler system. Investigators suspect the fire began in a ground-floor retail area, allowing it to spread rapidly.

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The building’s facade was a major obstacle because it prevented water sprayed from outside from reaching the interior.