Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of a fire at the CentralWorld shopping complex in the Ratchaprasong area yesterday evening that claimed two lives.
The fire reportedly broke out around 5pm when plumes of smoke were spotted billowing out of the eighth floor of CentralWorld, in the central business area.
Two people died and 16 others were injured, some after jumping from the eighth floor, according to Pol Maj Gen Theerasak Suriwong, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday expressed his condolences to the families of those who died and ordered an investigation into the cause.
Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said part of the 16-storey building was ordered closed pending an investigation into the cause of the fire and its fire suppression system.
The closed section will be limited to the area which is subject to safety concerns, excluding the hotel.
"We need to do a lot of inspections. We need to check whether the fire alarm and sprinkler system worked properly and we need to look at construction work inside the building to determine the cause of the fire," he said after inspecting the site last night.
Initial reports suggested the blaze started in a document storage room on the eighth floor. CentralWorld management said on its Facebook page the fire started about 5.40pm in a smoke ventilation duct on the eighth floor of the shopping centre and took half an hour to put out.