The operator of fire-hit CentralWorld shopping complex said the alarm system did not sound simultaneously throughout the building on Wednesday night because it was designed that way - to avoid a panic evacuation.
Central Pattana Plc (CPN) said in a press statement on Thursday that the Ratchaprasong complex in downtown Bangkok had many exits, and the fire alarm system was designed to go off only in affected zones.
If the system had sounded throughout the building simultaneously, unnecessary incidents could have occurred during the evacuation, the statement said.
When the fire broke out on Wednesday, the alarm system sounded on the eighth floor, the seat of the blaze, and also on B2, where smoke billowed from a ventilation duct.
The management immediately ordered the evacuation of people from the area, with security guards stationed strategically to ensure it went smoothly, CPN said.
The CentralWorld issued the explanation after netizens raised doubts about the alarm system at the shopping mall.
At least two people died and 15 others were injured in the fire, which started on the eighth floor of CentralWorld about 5.40pm. Two people were seen falling from the building in video clips posted online. (continues below)
Smoke and flames billow from a window near the top of the CentralWorld shopping complex in Ratchaprasong area of Bangkok on Wednesday night. (Police photo)
Thairath Online reported on Thursday that two men had jumped from the building -- Chakchai Charoenlarp, 50, was killed by the fall, and Arthit Khamsai, 50, was badly injured and later pronounced dead at Chulalongkorn Hospital.
Of the injured, five people were being treated at Chulalongkorn Hospital and the 10 others at Police General Hospital.
Investigations into the cause of the fire and its affect on the building's structure have already begun.
Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai Mekprasertsuk, deputy commander of the Police Forensic Science Office said forensic and other experts were checking the building plan, structure and fire protection systems.
The fire could not have begun on the basement floor, Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai said.
Pathumwan district chief Phinit Arayasilpathorn said earlier it was initially thought the fire might have started in the electrical wiring on the underground level, or B2 floor, housing the Bangkok Central Convention Centre at CentralWorld. The blaze had then spread through a ventilation duct to the eighth floor.
Mr Phinit confirmed the sprinklers and other fire fighting systems worked normally during the fire.
The building remains closed pending completion of checks on its structural integrity in the wake of the fire.
CentralWorld shopping complex will be reopened at 10am on Friday after a team inspecting the fire-damaged section found the structure was safe and its fire fighting systems met international standards.
Central Pattana Plc (CPN), the operator of CentralWorld at Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong intersection, said its fifth press statement that the team of engineers, forensic officials and police had conducted a thorough inspection at the fire-damaged section and confirmed the shopping complex was safe.
The office and hotel zones are reopened on Thursday while the shopping mall zone will be reopened at 10am the next day.
The management of the shopping complex vowed to take responsibility for the families of the deceased and injured victims. It said some of the injured people had already been discharged from hospitals.
Video clip taken by @pramoted via JS100 Radio Facebook page.