Guest fountainhall Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 This from the BBC website updated around 4:00 this morning. "At least 53 people have been killed in a fire in a nightclub in the Thai capital, Bangkok, police say. More than 100 others were injured in the blaze, which broke out as people celebrated the New Year. Witnesses said bodies were laid out on the pavement in front of the club, named as the Santika, in central Bangkok's Thong Lor district. "Police said they were investigating what sparked the fire in the two-storey building, an upmarket nightclub. "'We were all dancing and suddenly there was a big flame that came out of the front of the stage and everybody was running away,' one woman told Reuters news agency. One man told the BBC that survivors leaving the club told him the fire broke out on the stage after fireworks were lit just after midnight. Andrew Long, a British man living in Bangkok, said that club was popular with foreigners and locals alike. "The club had only one main exit, at the front, and many people had been trapped inside, he said. The blaze was now under control but the death toll could rise, a fire official said." I am always wary of any club that packs in a large number of people without adequate exits. This especially worries me about DJ Station, Bangkok's most popular gay disco when hundreds seem packed in at week-ends. With only 2 tiny exits on to Silom Soi 2, DJ Station has always seemed to me to be a death trap waiting to happen. What's worse is that Soi 2 is extremely narrow. A fire in any of the establishments there will inevitably result in a mad rush out towards Silom. Apart from those trapped inside buildings, some will certainly be trampled to death in the panic. Yet for years the authorities have done nothing! Quote
Guest Steve1903 Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 I've not seen this report yet but this kind of thing seems to happen every other year. Don't they ever learn anything? Very sad. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 I've not seen this report yet but this kind of thing seems to happen every other year. Don't they ever learn anything? Very sad. Here is MSNBC report... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28451806/ So tragic, sad...and preventable! tj Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 Here is MSNBC report... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28451806/ So tragic, sad...and preventable! tj From The Nation newspaper: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/01/01...es_30092268.php NEW YEAR TRAGEDY EKKAMAI PUB FIRE KILLS NEARLY 60 Fire at an Ekkamai pub kills at least 59 and injures scores in New Year countdown disaster. Fire broke out at popular Santika Pub in Ekkamai Soi 9 (Sukhumvit 63) Wednesday night, killing nearly 60 people celebrating the New Year countdown and injuring many others, police said. TV Channel 7 reported that at least 59 people were killed and more than 200 injured. Firemen were alerted shortly after midnight but when they arrived at the three-story building, pandemonium was already breaking out with hundreds of people scrambling for their lives. Charity foundations' workers were trying to bring New Year celebrators out the narrow front door one by one. A lot of people remained trapped inside the most popular pub in the area when the firemen arrived, screaming for help. It took two hours to bring the blaze under control. Police said at least 54 people were killed and scores were injured. It was believed hundreds were inside the popular pub. Some pub workers told police that the fire was likely caused by firework explosions which set alight the publ's interior which housed many inflammable materials. One pub worker told reporters that the explosions were heard shortly after the New Year countdown ended. "After the explosions, someone shouted 'Fire!"," the pub worker said. Fire started on the top floor and spread quckly, the pub worker said. The quick smoke caused immediate panic, sending people scrambling to the front door where they had come in. Most of them were unaware there were three other exits, the pub worker said. The exact number of people injured remained unknown. Many have been sent to 14 hospitals including Ramkhamhaeng, Bangkok, Kluaynam Thai 2, Vipa-Ram hospitals. The pub worker said up to 1,000 people could have been inside when the fire broke out. One man, Somchai Frendi, who was inside the pub when the fire broke out, said the blaze was caused by a "special-effect" firework to usher in the New Year. It made the ceiling, which was made largely of inflammable sound-proof materials, catch fire which spread very quickly. The fire and smoke sent people on the second floor scrambling downstairs while those on the ground floor also rushed for the door. But with most people knowing only one exit _ through which they had come in _ they crammed the space and the results were deadly. ------------------------------ Quote
Guest Geezer Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 Who is primarily responsible for these people‘s deaths? I believe it is those who chose to enter and remain in such a building. They knew, or should have known, the dangers involved in this place. How can one lay the blame on others if one isn't concerned enough to look after one's own welfare? I have been in such buildings: The now defunct Adam’s Apple go-go bar on the third floor of an old building in Chiang Mai which is accessible only by a narrow cast iron spiral staircase. The old Hollywood Disco (the façade of which burned twice). The wood paneled concert hall at Mahidol University in Salaya where the fire exit doors (complete with panic bars) open inward. This last is a valuable feature in case, during a fire, a crowd wishes to storm into the hall. No one forces us to patronize such places. If I should die in a fire in a hazardous venue, I know who bears primary responsibility, and it's not some corrupt government official. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 You can watch live tv from Thailand... here is the link... Channel 3...among others... is providing extensive coverage of this tragic fire: http://www.siamtv.info/start.html Choose tv ... or radio from Thailand. tj Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Here are You Tube videos of The Santika Club - Bangkok, which was where the tragic fire took place. And this one...the BURN promo for concerts at Santika.... There are many videos to see. Sad..so sad! tj Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Here is the BANGKOK POST report: Bangkok Post photo _____ Dozens Die in Night Club Fire Published: 1/01/2009 at 04:35 AM Fire broke out in a night club in Thong Lo during New Year's celebrations, and police said nearly 60 people were confirmed dead. The fire at the Santika Club in Soi Ekamai occurred shortly after the joyous midnight countdown, according to Pol Lt Gen Viboon Bangthamai, deputy metropolitan police commander. Thong Lo district police commander Pol Col Suphin Sapphuang said 59 people had been confirmed dead - 53 at the scene and six who succumbed later in hospital. Most of the fatality victims were Thai, but foreigners have been identified from Australia, the Netherlands, Nepal and Japan. The popular club consistently attracts a mixed crowd of Thais and visitors. At least 184 people were injured, according to emergency services at the scene, and had been rushed to 14 hospitals around Bangkok with various injuries including burns and smoke inhalation. Fireworks lit for the New Year celebration probably torched the facility’s curtain near the roof, he said. Pol Lt Col Prawit Kantwol, one of the first officers on the scene, agreed. "It appears that the fire started from the area of the stage where a band was playing. There were some pyrotechnics and it appears that they started the blaze," he said. "Most of the victims died from suffocation but some were also killed in a stampede when people were trying to get out." The two-storey club was completely gutted by the fire, with the front of the building blackened and partially collapsed. Firefighters brought the blaze under control at about 2 a.m. and retrieved most of the bodies, he said. Fifty-three people were found dead in the club and two died at hospitals Deaths apparently came from direct burns from the flames, from smoke inhalation and from injuries during the stampede to escape from the engulfing fire. Most of the bodies were found in the club's basement. Police said the hi-so club had only one door for entry and exit. Some victims were trapped in the basement of the club, which was accessed via a narrow stairwell. The roof of the building had also collapsed during the blaze. Rescue workers placed the bodies in white shrouds, in rows in the club's parking lot for possible identification and removal. Quote
Guest MonkeySee Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 I am always wary of any club that packs in a large number of people without adequate exits. This especially worries me about DJ Station, Bangkok's most popular gay disco when hundreds seem packed in at week-ends. With only 2 tiny exits on to Silom Soi 2, DJ Station has always seemed to me to be a death trap waiting to happen. What's worse is that Soi 2 is extremely narrow. A fire in any of the establishments there will inevitably result in a mad rush out towards Silom. Apart from those trapped inside buildings, some will certainly be trampled to death in the panic. Yet for years the authorities have done nothing! I am in complete agreement with your comments about the DJ Station disco in Bangkok. That place would certainly be a death trap if a fire would break out. With the many people running out of the small soi, it would almost be impossible for fire fighters to reach the flames. I have not been to DJ in years and doubt if I will go in the near future. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Why the hell would they allow fire crackers inside a jam filled club? This is a senseless tragedy. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Here is You Tube video of the fire... So sad that this happened...it was preventable. Same thing happened several years ago in USA night club... fire started from fireworks on stage...setting flammable ceiling on fire... killing many persons. Damn the negligent fire officials and club management, ownership for letting this happen! Reports say the majority of dead are from other countries... Japan, Nepal & Austria ....as well as Thais. Report from the Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/01 ... 092268.php SANTIKA PUB FIRE POLICE: MANY VICTIMS WERE FOREIGNERS Fire at an Ekkamai pub kills at least 59 and injures scores in New Year countdown disaster Fire broke out at popular Santika Pub in Ekkamai Soi 9 (Sukhumvit 63) Wednesday night, killing nearly 60 people celebrating the New Year countdown and injuring many others, police said. Deputy Police Commissioner-General Pol Lt-Gen Jongrak Juthanon said most of those killed were foreigners. He said they were tourists from Nepal, Austria and Japan. ------------------------ Sad...so sad! tj Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 And now...here is what is being said: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...e:-police-chief Santika Pub catches fire just one day before its closure: police chief Police Commissiner-General Pol Gen Phatcharawat Wongsuwan said Thursday morning that the Santika Pub was hit by a fire that killed 59 people just one day before its last day of operation. Phatcharawat said the pub was scheduled to operate on Thursday for the last day. A fire broke out at the pub late Wednesday night, killing 59 and injuring over 200 others. ---------------------------- Again...sad...so sad! tj Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 If I should die in a fire in a hazardous venue, I know who bears primary responsibility, and it's not some corrupt government official. Geezer, I don't totally agree with you, but I do in part. People should have a reasonable expectation that public buildings are going to be inspected and will meet fire codes. However, here as in many other countries, a little payola goes a long way. Another thing that happens to inspecting agencies such as the fire dept. or building dept. is that when the inspection is made, things are in order. Then the night of a big event like New Years Eve, the management locks otherwise open exits, tables or props are allowed to block isles and exits, and there are many more people allowed in than the building permit allows. All of these are pretty much beyond the control of most agencies. In the US, certain venues are actually inspected during the events, and required changes are made on the spotl I too have been in several places that raised the hackles on the back of my neck. Having been in the fire service in CA for 30 years, I realize what could take place in these facilities should a fire occur. Fortunately the odds are in your favor, and if you are more aware of the hazards you can take some precautions like sitting near an exit. What scares me the worst is being above the 4th floor in a non-sprinklered high rise...you are helpless...literally! Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 If I remember correctly, only a few years ago a similar incident took place in a club in the USA. There were not enough adequate exits and some sort of pyrotechnic display went wrong, setting the club ablaze and resulting in a lot of people dead. Apparently that is what happened in Bangkok. It seems like every year we read about a similar incident in which a fire breaks out in a crowded club and scores of people are trapped inside. Sometimes we even read that fire exits existed, but were blocked or locked. After all, let's risk the lives of all these people in our eagerness to make sure nobody can sneak in for free . . . I think part of the problem is that people do become wary of this sort of possibility when these incidents occur, but after a while people just stop thinking about it, at least until the next incident. Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 They have unfortunately taken place all over the world. A few years ago in the US there was a brand new exclusive club that burned in minutes due to very flammable decorations, and over 200 people were killed...but worse, many suffered severe burns from the burning decorations dropping on them as they fled. Over 100 of the dead died of trauma other than burns or smoke inhalation...in other words they were trampled to death. You can have a great building built to modern standards....but if you add flammable material it will burn Very Fast!! Quote
Guest gay_grampa Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 I am in complete agreement with your comments about the DJ Station disco in Bangkok. That place would certainly be a death trap if a fire would break out. With the many people running out of the small soi, it would almost be impossible for fire fighters to reach the flames. I have not been to DJ in years and doubt if I will go in the near future. There are now 2 doors at the front, a fire exit at the back of the building and a bridge over the soi to stairs on the 2nd floor that leads to another building's exit. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 There are now 2 doors at the front, a fire exit at the back of the building and a bridge over the soi to stairs on the 2nd floor that leads to another building's exit. That is certainly a major improvement since I was last there. But I remain concerned about the multitude of people who would rush into that small soi if a fire broke out anywhere. It's human nature to run for your life. It's a sure fire certainty (apologies for the pun!) that some will get trampled on, maimed and possibly killed. Quote
Guest Astrrro Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 If I remember correctly, only a few years ago a similar incident took place in a club in the USA. There were not enough adequate exits and some sort of pyrotechnic display went wrong, setting the club ablaze and resulting in a lot of people dead. Apparently that is what happened in Bangkok. That was in the Station, a rock venue in Rhode Island. Sadly 100 perished. In 1990 there was the famous Happy Land Social Club fire in the South Bronx. This one was arson resulting in 87 needless deaths. In the aftermath, there was a crackdown on all semi-legal after-hours clubs all over the city including S&M and transvestite clubs such as the Hellfire Club and the Vault. Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Survivors Say Fireworks Lit on Stage By The Nation Survivors of the tragic Santika Pub fire recounted that they saw fireworks lit on the stage before the blaze started, leading to a stampede. A patron, who identified herself as Fah, said she and two friends arrived at the Santika Pub at 10 pm and by the time it was already packed with customers. She said it might be his luck that the pub was nearly full with about 500 customers, causing him and friends to be stand near the exit. The customers were packed inside for the farewell party of the pub, in an event titled "New Year Goodbye Santika" she said. She saw many customers on the second floor of the pub. Fah recounted that he saw a group of singers went up on the stage at nearly 1 am and he saw fireworks being lit up to create some effects. "I believe the fireworks caught fire on the ceiling and spread quickly," Fah said. "At first, I thought it was an effect, which looked like real thing. Then, someone shouted "fire, fire" and panic broke out and people ran for their life. "It's my luck that I and friends were standing near the exit so we could quickly leave and survive." Pongsiri Wongseng, 28, said he and his sister joined the farewell and countdown party after hearing that the pub would cease operation after the party. He said he, his girlfriend and his sisters as well as her friends arrived at the pub in a group of seven and they gather for music in front of the stage. Pongsiri said he saw fire shot up on the stage, causing fire at foam which was used as props on the ceiling. He said the fire spread very fast and his girlfriend shouted to others that fire broke out, leading to turmoil. "Everybody ran outside and the situation was very chaotic," he said. "I jump-kicked at the glass in front of the pub. I made small hole and I don't know how could I get through the hole because I a big guy." He said he later worried about his girlfriend and sister, who were later rescued by rescue workers. He said his girlfriend suffered from a burn on her chest and hip and fainted out and rushed to the Camillian Hospital. His sister also suffered from minor burns. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Then, someone shouted "fire, fire" and panic broke out and people ran for their life. Isn't that the real problem in confined spaces - the panic and resulting stampede rather than the fire itself? Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Isn't that the real problem in confined spaces - the panic and resulting stampede rather than the fire itself? GaySacGuy is much more qualified than any of us to answer those kinds of questions, but I've heard that more people die in fires because of smoke and toxic fume inhalation than from being burned. You can die from smoke inhalation, panic stampedes, being burnt alive, or other causes, but none would be a pleasant way to go, that's for sure. Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 Isn't that the real problem in confined spaces - the panic and resulting stampede rather than the fire itself? This depends a great deal on how the fire burns. Most people in house fires die of smoke inhalation, not from being burned. That is why smoke alarms are such a good life saver. If they are burned, it is after they are already unconscious. In a public gathering, the panic and stampede is a large part of the problem. If everyone walked out quietly, there would be less loss of life...but don't try to tell that to someone who is feeling heat of a fire and breathing smoke!! The biggest loss of life in most of these types of fires occur where people stack up next to locked exits, and then the smoke gets them...and then maybe the fire. The major cause of all of this is usually the decorations. The building is ok, but the decorations are deadly. They talked in one article about the foam on the ceiling...there is fire resistant foam decorations, but they are very expensive. Most of them burn fast, with very thick dark smoke, and usually drip burning material on the crowd below...not nice. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 I've heard that more people die in fires because of smoke and toxic fume inhalation than from being burned I had forgotten that. As a frequent flyer, some years ago I became slightly concerned about what would happen if a flight I was on was to crash. I had read that of those who actually survive impact, about 70% or more of fatalities are usually the result of toxic smoke inhalation than burns. So after doing a lot of research on the web, I purchased from a Canadian manufacturer a special smoke hood that allowed about 15 minutes of breathable air. The name was EVAC U8. The product was relatively small (about the size of a can of soup), got great reviews from all the organisations which had tested it, and it was guaranteed for 10 years. It then became part of my carry on baggage for about 4 years. I even bought a couple for my apartment. I occasionally wondered how you can actually give a product like that a guarantee and what happens if it were to fail! Then in July last year, the US Consumer Safety Protection Commission issued a warning about the product and all the EVAC U8 products were recalled due to some possible malfunction. Promised compensation never appeared and the manufacturer went bankrupt. Yet a quick check on the web this morning shows that this same product can still be purchased from some sites. I wonder how legal this is? Buyer beware! I wonder if GaySacGuy has any recommendation for a similar type of product that can at least provide some minutes of breathable air during a fire. Such a product could also be carried in to premises which have a less than reliable fire protection installation. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 Here is CNN-Asia latest report... with video also attached...if you want to see... http://edition.cnn.com/ASIA/ http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/...fire/index.html BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- At least 59 people were killed and more than 200 others injured early Thursday after a fire broke out at an upscale Bangkok nightclub where about 1,000 revelers were ringing in the new year, Thai police said. Rescue officials survey the scene of the nightclub fire in Bangkok, Thailand. Most of the victims died from smoke inhalation or were trampled in a rush to get out of the club. Thirty bodies have been identified: 29 Thai nationals and one Singaporean, according to police. The fire began at the nightclub Santika about 12:35 a.m., police said. Rescue officials said 226 others were injured, including several foreigners. Two Americans were injured in the blaze, a U.S. State Department official said. The official did not release the victims' names or the extent of their injuries but said the department was in contact with them. Steven Hall, a British national who was hurt in the fire, told CNN that flames began to spread along the ceiling above the stage where a band and DJ were performing. But some people appeared to believe that it was part of the performance. read more... ------------------------- Sad...such a tragedy! tj Quote
