Forensic investigators examined the heavily damaged Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar and restaurant as officials sought to determine how the fire started and why it spread so rapidly. Windows at the venue had been blown out, while emergency crews continued documenting the scene following Sunday’s disaster.

The fire broke out at around 11:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, sending patrons fleeing as flames engulfed the entrance. Witnesses described scenes of panic as people struggled to escape, with several suffering severe burns.

Athipat “Ice” Wijarn, whose band was performing when the fire erupted, said the lights suddenly went out before smoke appeared from an electrical circuit behind the stage. As he crawled toward an exit, he said an explosion knocked him from behind and he felt intense heat and burns.

Two members of the band, keyboardist Kwang and singer Breeze, were killed in the fire. Athipat said Breeze appeared to have died without suffering burn injuries.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the fire spread rapidly to the ceiling and suggested smoke inhalation was likely the leading cause of death.

According to the Erawan Emergency Center, 27 people were killed and 73 injured. Forty-one victims remained hospitalized on Monday, including 25 receiving treatment in intensive care units.

National Police Chief Kitrat Panphet said investigators planned to question the owner of the establishment once his condition improved. The owner was being treated in an intensive care unit following the incident.

Kitrat said many victims were found inside the venue’s toilets, where they had apparently sought refuge after the electricity failed. Investigators are examining whether emergency exits were accessible, noting that one exit was partially blocked by shelving, limiting evacuation.

Police are also inspecting the building’s electrical wiring and assessing whether interior decorations may have accelerated the spread of the flames. Kitrat said investigators were working on the assumption that negligence may have contributed to the disaster.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the site, said preliminary findings pointed to “blind spots” where fire escape routes were not clearly visible. He urged the public to await the outcome of the official investigation and said any violations of safety regulations would be dealt with firmly.

Authorities have identified 10 of the victims so far, including nine Thai nationals and one citizen of Laos. Foreign authorities have not reported additional overseas casualties.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people attempted to flee the burning building. Laotian tourist Kan Kutirat said he heard loud screams from inside the venue as panic spread, while motorcycle taxi driver Surin Jaiharn said he helped several victims escape with severe burns before watching others carry the injured to safety.

The Thai government said families of those killed would receive compensation of 300,000 baht ($9,000), while injured victims would be eligible for reimbursement of medical expenses of up to 80,000 baht.

The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of fire safety standards in Thailand’s entertainment venues. In 2022, a fire at the Mountain B nightclub in Chonburi province killed 25 people, while the 2009 Santika Club fire in Bangkok claimed 67 lives and injured more than 200.