A major fire at Khlong Thom Center in Bangkok was brought largely under control early on Saturday, August 29, although two hotspots continued to smoulder several hours later. Ten people were injured, including nine volunteer firefighters, with one placed on a ventilator after inhaling toxic smoke.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the site at around 9am and said the blaze had erupted shortly after 9pm the previous night. The shopping complex, which specialises in electrical equipment and general merchandise, is approximately 20 years old and occupies an area of around four rai.
The steel-framed building contains numerous small shops on its lower floor, with a parking area situated above. Flames also spread to two commercial units at the neighbouring Sai Thong project behind the centre, where materials and equipment were being stored.
The first fire engine from Suan Mali Fire and Rescue Station reached the scene within five minutes of receiving the alert. However, crews struggled to access several sections of the complex as the flames spread quickly through its densely packed network of small shops.
Three fire hydrants in the surrounding area provided sufficient water for the operation. Firefighters brought the main building under control between approximately 2am and 3am, while the blaze affecting the two neighbouring units was extinguished at around 5am.
Despite that progress, smoke was still rising from two smouldering areas at 9am. Firefighters continued assessing how to enter safely and put out the remaining flames without placing crews at risk.
Chadchart said the principal challenge was not the availability of water but reaching the source of the fire, as sections of the building prevented crews from directing water into the affected areas.
Large quantities of plastic, batteries and mobile phone equipment were stored inside the complex. Such materials can ignite easily, accelerate the spread of flames and release toxic gases when burned.
The intense heat also weakened the building’s steel frame, causing sections of the structure to collapse inward. This helped limit damage to surrounding properties but made conditions inside the centre increasingly dangerous.
Structural engineers must now evaluate the stability of the building before firefighters and other officials can safely enter to tackle the remaining hotspots.
Ten people sustained injuries during the incident, comprising one member of the public and nine volunteer firefighters. Four remained in hospital on Saturday morning.
One volunteer firefighter was reported to be in serious condition after spending around 30 minutes battling the blaze and inhaling toxic fumes.
He initially received treatment at Klang Hospital before being transferred to Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital, which has more advanced respiratory support facilities. No deaths were reported.
Investigators are examining whether batteries stored inside one of the shops may have sparked the fire. However, forensic officers must inspect the scene before the cause can be officially established.
The project owner told authorities that the centre’s main electrical breakers were routinely switched off at 8pm as a safety precaution.
Officials are also investigating whether the building’s sprinkler system operated correctly. Although the owner said sprinklers had been installed, Chadchart noted that videos posted on TikTok appeared to show that the system was not functioning while the fire was burning.
The blaze has affected hundreds of traders who relied on the complex for their businesses. Around 300 vendors operated at the centre, although only approximately 100 held formal rental agreements.
By Saturday morning, about 70 people had registered requests for assistance at Wat Phra Phiren, located opposite Khlong Thom Center.
The full extent and financial value of the damage have not yet been determined. An assessment will be conducted by the project owner once conditions allow officials to enter the property safely.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has opened a coordination and damage-reporting centre at Wat Phra Phiren. Police and city officials will record claims, examine rental agreements and verify the identities of vendors before arranging preliminary assistance and helping coordinate insurance claims.
Authorities also plan to introduce a registration system allowing traders to inspect their shops and belongings once the building has been declared safe.
Security personnel and municipal officers will remain in the area to guard against theft, particularly because many of the products sold at the centre are small and easily removed. Chadchart warned that anyone found stealing from the site would face the strongest possible legal action.
