Bangkok Pub Fire Kills 27, Dozens Injured

A preliminary inspection found 27 dead, the department said. Eighteen were women and nine were men. Their identities have not been released.

Of the 18 injured, eight were listed as red cases – critical or life-threatening – seven were yellow for serious but stable, and three were green with minor injuries, the department said in an update.

"Forensic investigators are examining the scene to determine the cause of the fire," the department said.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived at the scene around 1:30 a.m., joined by Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Director-General Teerapat Katchamat and Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt.

Anutin told reporters that most fatalities resulted from smoke inhalation. Witnesses said the fire appeared to have started near a circuit breaker on the restaurant's stage before the facility went dark, the Bangkok Post reported.