CHON BURI: Two beer bars were destroyed and 16 motorcycles damaged by fire in a soi off South Pattaya's walking street after a power transformer exploded late on Saturday night. Two people were slightly injured.
A large number of tourists were packed into the two bar beers in Soi Pattaya 16 - Titanic and An-An - when the fire broke out at about 11pm.
Police evacuated the tourists to safety while six fire trucks sprayed water onto the flames. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes, by which time the two bar beers were destroyed. Sixteen motorcycles parked in front were damaged.
A number of hair salons, beauty shops and restaurants on the other side of the soi were also damaged. Two people sustained minor injuries from the fire, and were admitted to a nearby hospital.
Sakarin Khaokhokkruat, 28, a waiter at Titanic beer bar, said that earlier on Saturday afternoon, electrical workers replaced a power transformer near the two beer bars. The transformer exploded at about 11pm, starting the fire.
Police were investigating. The damage was being assessed.