BANGKOK — Three foreign tourists have died following a fire that broke out at The Ember Hotel, a six-story building in Bangkok, late Sunday night. One tourist was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others passed away at the hospital. Another victim remains hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, revealed that the fire originated in room 511 on the fifth floor. Surviving tourists are providing statements at Chana Songkhram Police Station as investigators work to determine the cause of the blaze. The forensics team is currently collecting evidence to build a case against those who may be responsible.
The Pharam Radio Center received the fire alert at 9:30 p.m. on December 29 at The Ember Hotel on Tanee Road, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon district. Bangkok’s Fire and Rescue Department deployed three aerial ladder trucks to rescue guests trapped inside the building, with some tourists taking refuge on the hotel’s rooftop.
Emergency responders rushed four tourists suffering from smoke inhalation to nearby hospitals. Firefighters finally contained the blaze by 10:30 p.m.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and Deputy Interior Minister Teearat Samretwanich arrived at the scene at 11:00 p.m. Governor Chadchart reported that nearly 40 tourists and hotel staff had fled to the building’s rooftop out of the total 75 guests staying at the hotel. Three aerial ladder trucks were used to gradually evacuate the victims.
“The fire spread was limited due to the swift response from firefighters,” Chadchart stated. “However, heavy smoke posed a significant challenge.” He ordered the temporary closure of the hotel pending a thorough safety inspection. “We must restore tourist confidence in safety measures, especially with New Year’s Eve countdown celebrations approaching,” he added.
Later, the Metropolitan Police Bureau reported information involving deaths and injuries:
For the deceased, there were 3 people who all stayed on the 5th floor:
- Ms. Pimentel, age 24, Brazilian national
- Mr. Tuzov, age 27, Ukrainian national
- Mr. Freeman, age 35, American national
For the injured, there were 4 people:
- Mr. Sorawut (Thai national), the hotel electrician, suffered bodily injuries
- Mr. Marvin (Dutch national), experiencing body pain
- Ms. Nadine (Dutch national), experiencing back pain and numbness in both legs
- An unidentified foreign woman (name, surname and nationality unknown) who suffered from prolonged oxygen deprivation
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