Bang Rak district officials and forensic police have visited the scene of the fire which burned down the building of the 5th division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) on Bangkok’s Sathorn Road today (Saturday), to start their investigation into the cause of the inferno.

Anchana Boonsuya, the Bang Rak district chief officer, said building inspectors will check the extent of the damage to the building’s super structure.

The burnt-out building has been cordoned off to prevent unauthorised access and some firefighters remain on standby at the scene.

Commander of the MPB’s 5th division, Pol Maj-Gen Thawatkiat Chindakuansanong, said that all important case files are intact because they are kept elsewhere.

Most of the destroyed property includes computers, personal effects and general affairs documents, he said, adding that police officers who used to work in the damaged building will be relocated on a temporary basis.

In addition to the 42-year-old building, seven cars and two motorcycles were damaged.