An investigation is under way into a fire that broke out yesterday morning at a three-storey building in Thawi Watthana district, causing the burning structure to collapse, leaving five dead, including four firefighters, and seven severely injured.
The three-storey building was on a 50-square-wah plot in the Krisdanakorn 31 housing estate in the Boromratchonnanee area of Thon Buri. The house collapsed after the fire had raged through it for about an hour.
Phornlert Penpak, director of Thawi Watthana district, said the BMA is checking whether the building violated municipal codes.
"So far, all we only know is that the building was 10 years old and used as an office. We need time to find out who or what is really to blame for the accident," Mr Phornlert told the media after inspecting the fire scene.
The building was reportedly owned by business owner Adisorn Sopha.
Initial reports suggested the fire broke out in a security guard room that had been used to store old mattresses and cleaning materials, according to initial information given to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
The first responders were firemen from the Bangkok Fire & Rescue Department under the BMA, and rescue volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation.
The victims were identified as Thanaphob Prapai, 44, Samatcha Nilthong, 48, Attapol Thuamthong, 26, Suthat Plianklad, 38 and Kiat Patterson, 35.
All except Kiat were BMA firemen who died at the scene, while Mr Kiat was an employee of the owner of the property.
At press time last night, there were believed to be four dead bodies still in the rubble and no further survivors.
Earlier, reports emerged that a volunteer was still alive but trapped under the rubble.
When rescue workers reached him, he was dead.
At 5pm, Governor Aswin Kwanmuang authorised the use of heavy construction machinery to begin clearing the area.
Mr Aswin earlier said no heavy machinery could be used to extract the bodies for fear the structure could collapse further, so rescue workers had been forced to use hand tools. Governor Aswin said compensation would be paid to the families of the rescue workers killed in the collapse.
