A total of 131 fires were reported in Bangkok during the first five months of this year, with 39 being recorded in January alone, according to statistics compiled by the Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
The statistics show there were 27 fires in February, 13 in March, 32 in April and 20 in May. There were long public holidays in both January and April.
Bang Khun Thian district recorded the highest number of fires during that period, with 9, followed by 7 each in Bang Kapi and Prawet, 6 each in Bang Khae and Ratchathewi, 5 in Nong Chok and 4 each in Bang Kho Laem, Min Buri, Lat Phrao, Wang Thong Lang, Wattana, Saphan Soong and Huai Khwang.
At least three serious incidents have been reported so far this month. On June 6th, a fire broke out at a popular pub in a 6-storey building on Silom Soi 2, but there were no casualties. On June 21st, over 100 residents of the Bon Kai community in the Khlong Toei area were left homeless after more than 30 houses were razed in a fire. In a blaze in Chinatown’s Sampeng Market two people died, six suffered the effects of smoke inhalation yesterday (Sunday). Four shop houses were heavily damaged, along with three cars and four motorcycles.
Forensic investigators and building inspectors from the BMAare due to inspect the scene of the Sampeng Market fire this morning, to determine the cause of the conflagration and to check whether the damaged shop houses and adjoining buildings are still structurally safe.
