Fire swept through a 14-storey Rajtevee Apartment building on Soi Phetchaburi 18 in Bangkok early Tuesday, killing at least three people and injuring about 60.
Two of the victims survived the fire but succumbed at hospitals. Two of the dead were Thai men aged 18 and 46 years.
Police said many people were inside the 30-year-old building during the fire, and around 30 people were sent to local hospitals for to treat smoke inhalation. Four of them were in intensive care units.
Firemen on the scene said the fire started about 2.30am in an electric wiring duct on the fifth floor and spread inside the shaft upward through to the top floor. It sent smoke billowing throughout the building, which has about 180 units and about 300 residents. The combined burnt area was estimated at about 30 square metres.
Firefighters said they managed to put out the blaze and would continue to ventilate the building to get rid of smoke and heat that built up and threatened the trapped people.
Petchaburi Road was closed between Pratunam and Ratchathewi intersections.
JS100 quoted an 11th-floor resident identified only as Setthawat as saying there was a blackout about 2am and he then heard people shouting fire.
He opened his door and billowing black smoke filled his room within about 10 seconds. He could not see the corridor despite using the flashlight on his mobile phone.
He then tried to seal his room by stuffing the door frame with cloths and covered his nose with a water-soaked cloth. Smoke also entered his room through the balcony.
FM91 Trafficpro quoted another resident, Thanya Temchamnan, as saying people could not use fire escapes. Some residents trapped in their rooms tried to jump down but others persuaded them not to.
She also said the fire alarm was delayed.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said a temporary relief centre was set up for victims and the building would be cordoned off temporarily while its structural integrity was checked.
Representatives from the Engineering Institute of Thailand later inspected the building and said its structure was intact.
Firefighters are rescuing a resident.