At least three tourists killed after fire breaks out in Bangkok backpacker hotel

At least three foreign tourists have died and others injured after a fire broke out at a backpacker hotel in Bangkok.

The blaze started on the 5th floor of the six-story Ember Hotel, near Khao San Road – a popular backpacker area – according to Thai police.

One person was found dead at the scene, while the other two died at hospital, police colonel Sanong Saengmanee said.

They were later identified as a Brazilian woman, a Ukrainian man and an American man.

Meanwhile, four people were hospitalised, with one in critical condition.

The cause of the fire, which has been brought under control, is under investigation.

Seventy-five people were staying at the hotel at the time..

Witness Sreekanth Kolamala, a 37-year-old Indian national who lives in Singapore and was in Thailand on holiday, said firefighters ‘broke the glass over there to try to pull people out’.

Sanga Ruangwattanakul, the president of the Khao San Road Business Association, said 20,000 people were expected at a New Year’s Eve countdown event in the area on Tuesday night.

He said: ‘Now everybody’s scared about what happened and they’re scared it will affect the event tomorrow.

‘But definitely there’s no worry because we already had a meeting with the police station and we have over 150 police and district staff to cover on Khao San Road for security.’

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt emphasised the importance of safety, especially with New Year’s Eve approaching and fireworks and other celebrations planned across the city.

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